I really enjoyed this photo essay, James. So many great images of the Red-tailed Hawk - especially some of the close-ups. I haven't had the chance to see one in several years and it was nice to see these images to remind myself how striking they are as a raptor. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the photos, James. I have not yet seen one of these magnificient raptors. They may be common, but they are extraordinary in both appearance and ability to sense their surroundings.
Their eyes, like that of all avians, observe and see so much detail, more than any of us humans can possibly ever see. I look in awe at the red-tailed hawk, much more than I look at the common human.
Pretty sure I saw one sail powerfully from a nearby field into my condo complex the day before yesterday! It seemed too large to be one of the cooper’s hawks that hang around. Breathtaking birds!
Before I found myself in a constant tango with the Blue Heron, the Great Red-Tail as you say, was my bird. What amuses me is how whenever I look for them, they are there - and how growing up as a kid I never saw any…the apertures of awareness weren’t wide enough. In the winter when we stay in the Carson Valley, NV, I have counted over twenty red-tails on our 15 mile drive up the mountain to go skiing. Common, but never disappointing.
Never disappointing is right. I saw a Great Blue Heron yesterday evening, no redtail. Like the redtail, herons are common but never disappointing--doses of humility and wildness we need not travel far to get. Different varieties of humility--a redtail's fierceness, a heron's motionless-yet-always-moving patience and lethal precision--but a birder comes away from either feeling more grounded and in tune.
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos, James. The Red-tailed Hawk has held a special place in my heart since 2021. A longer story, but it appeared at a tough moment in my life and has stayed around to remind me of my brother since.
It is bundled with my C-Diaries essay, but in case you want to read the part about the Red-tailed Hawk, here it is.
Wonderful writing! Here in the foothills of Alberta we get every imaginable permutation of the redtail, and some you wouldn't. Easterns (my faves), westerns, Krider's, Harlan's, i even saw a classic eastern a coupla times with a white upper tail. We also get goshawks and gyrfalcons in winter and eagles but the redtails are still my favorite, the most handsome and the most satisfying on the most levels. I don't think their eyes are terrible, though. The brown eyes of the adult to me are warm and intelligent for a raptor, there is a thoughtful mammalian softness. (A goshawk has terrible eyes - bloodred and with a sharklike flatness.) Thanks for this, great shots too. A person can never get too much eyeful of redtail. We are lucky indeed they are so widespread - and still doing so well.
Thank you! You are clearly a redtail authority! I have yet to see a goshawk or gyrfalcon—both birds I’ve hoped to see for some time now. The redtail’s eyes embody what we take them to, they are vessels for what we bestow upon the bird. I see why Jeffers called them terrible, but to me they more just have a depth of awareness and presence
He was one of those nature writers from the golden age of our model. So many gems from that time. The illustrations were perfect, bold and uncomplicated and absolutely capturing the essence of the red-tail.
Beautifully described, and wonderful photos. I once came across a red-tail outside of High Island, Texas, one March day, that was almost pure white - I actually thought, at first sight, it was a gyrfalcon, it was so pale.
Thank you Juliet. I’ve always loved the name ‘sparrowhawk,’ I would love to see one, but if they fulfill the same role as the redtail I already know they are special birds. If anything, Substack has encouraged me to take a less myopic US-centered approach to birds.
Thanks James, I agree, since starting blogging years ago I've been just as interested in US birds as in UK birds. Sparrowhawks are magnificent, they have a particular way of flying and it's great to see them flying over even fairly built-up areas.
Buzzards and redtails are both buteos, the Buzzard is a marvelous raptor. I envy your ease of seeing kites—I’d have to travel to a different part of the country.
What I really notice is the kind eyes. I have always thought of hawk as a messenger and about alert vision and keen discernment...but what comes through is the compassion in those eyes...which is so interesting for bird that is also a predator. Not long ago I saw a hawk perched so close. And then another flew over my head! Thank you for sharing your wonderful photography and your heard, through it!
Wonderful essay and photos James. I am quite partial as you know, to the Red-tailed. I tend to count the Red-taileds when I am on the highway. I love to see them perched in the trees watching the traffic, or better yet, swooping down to snatch something in the median strip.
Thank you, James! I hope to improve my skills in distinguishing between different types of hawks. We definitely have redtails here. Thank you again for the id on the osprey, that was super helpful!
I really enjoyed this photo essay, James. So many great images of the Red-tailed Hawk - especially some of the close-ups. I haven't had the chance to see one in several years and it was nice to see these images to remind myself how striking they are as a raptor. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Neil. I hope you see a redtail soon! I worry this post could be interpreted as me taking them for granted; the opposite is true.
Thanks for the photos, James. I have not yet seen one of these magnificient raptors. They may be common, but they are extraordinary in both appearance and ability to sense their surroundings.
Their eyes, like that of all avians, observe and see so much detail, more than any of us humans can possibly ever see. I look in awe at the red-tailed hawk, much more than I look at the common human.
Thank you Perry. Redtails and all birds are awe inspiring; it’s their homeostasis, humanity doesn’t quite stack up. Hope you see a redtail soon.
Pretty sure I saw one sail powerfully from a nearby field into my condo complex the day before yesterday! It seemed too large to be one of the cooper’s hawks that hang around. Breathtaking birds!
Sounds like a redtail! Definitely bigger than a Cooper’s. Glad you had a good encounter
Before I found myself in a constant tango with the Blue Heron, the Great Red-Tail as you say, was my bird. What amuses me is how whenever I look for them, they are there - and how growing up as a kid I never saw any…the apertures of awareness weren’t wide enough. In the winter when we stay in the Carson Valley, NV, I have counted over twenty red-tails on our 15 mile drive up the mountain to go skiing. Common, but never disappointing.
Never disappointing is right. I saw a Great Blue Heron yesterday evening, no redtail. Like the redtail, herons are common but never disappointing--doses of humility and wildness we need not travel far to get. Different varieties of humility--a redtail's fierceness, a heron's motionless-yet-always-moving patience and lethal precision--but a birder comes away from either feeling more grounded and in tune.
Fabulous pictures! And how nice to see you too!
Thank you Teyani!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos, James. The Red-tailed Hawk has held a special place in my heart since 2021. A longer story, but it appeared at a tough moment in my life and has stayed around to remind me of my brother since.
It is bundled with my C-Diaries essay, but in case you want to read the part about the Red-tailed Hawk, here it is.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-146931376?r=21vtbx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Wonderful writing! Here in the foothills of Alberta we get every imaginable permutation of the redtail, and some you wouldn't. Easterns (my faves), westerns, Krider's, Harlan's, i even saw a classic eastern a coupla times with a white upper tail. We also get goshawks and gyrfalcons in winter and eagles but the redtails are still my favorite, the most handsome and the most satisfying on the most levels. I don't think their eyes are terrible, though. The brown eyes of the adult to me are warm and intelligent for a raptor, there is a thoughtful mammalian softness. (A goshawk has terrible eyes - bloodred and with a sharklike flatness.) Thanks for this, great shots too. A person can never get too much eyeful of redtail. We are lucky indeed they are so widespread - and still doing so well.
Thank you! You are clearly a redtail authority! I have yet to see a goshawk or gyrfalcon—both birds I’ve hoped to see for some time now. The redtail’s eyes embody what we take them to, they are vessels for what we bestow upon the bird. I see why Jeffers called them terrible, but to me they more just have a depth of awareness and presence
One of my very favorite books as a small child, i still have a copy on my shelf, by Franklin Russell. The saga of a red-tailed hawk:
I will have to look into Russell’s work. Thank you for the recommendation
He was one of those nature writers from the golden age of our model. So many gems from that time. The illustrations were perfect, bold and uncomplicated and absolutely capturing the essence of the red-tail.
Stunning photos! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jesse!
Beautifully described, and wonderful photos. I once came across a red-tail outside of High Island, Texas, one March day, that was almost pure white - I actually thought, at first sight, it was a gyrfalcon, it was so pale.
Thank you Marian! A purely white redtail would be a sight to see, I’ve never seen one like that
Excellent essay and beautiful photos. I've never seen a Red-Tailed Hawk, but over here in Scotland our equivalent would be the Sparrowhawk
Thank you Juliet. I’ve always loved the name ‘sparrowhawk,’ I would love to see one, but if they fulfill the same role as the redtail I already know they are special birds. If anything, Substack has encouraged me to take a less myopic US-centered approach to birds.
Thanks James, I agree, since starting blogging years ago I've been just as interested in US birds as in UK birds. Sparrowhawks are magnificent, they have a particular way of flying and it's great to see them flying over even fairly built-up areas.
Wonderful!💜
Thank you Wendy!
Wow. Not common over here in the UK! So really appreciate these powerful shots.
Buzzards and kites are quite easy to spot here but I still feel a thrill when I see them.
Thank you so much Janelle.
Buzzards and redtails are both buteos, the Buzzard is a marvelous raptor. I envy your ease of seeing kites—I’d have to travel to a different part of the country.
You're always teaching me things! Every day is a school day. Thanks James
Love this photo essay James!
Thank you so much Shital
What I really notice is the kind eyes. I have always thought of hawk as a messenger and about alert vision and keen discernment...but what comes through is the compassion in those eyes...which is so interesting for bird that is also a predator. Not long ago I saw a hawk perched so close. And then another flew over my head! Thank you for sharing your wonderful photography and your heard, through it!
Wonderful essay and photos James. I am quite partial as you know, to the Red-tailed. I tend to count the Red-taileds when I am on the highway. I love to see them perched in the trees watching the traffic, or better yet, swooping down to snatch something in the median strip.
Thank you Pamela. They are such accessible raptors to remind us how incredible the natural world is
Outstanding photo essay, James! The images are so defined and nuanced, I’ve really learned a lot.
Thank you Heidi—I hope you get to see some redtails for your naturalist course!
Thank you, James! I hope to improve my skills in distinguishing between different types of hawks. We definitely have redtails here. Thank you again for the id on the osprey, that was super helpful!