Juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk (not captive)

[redrew]

Canon 1D Mark IIn, Sigma 50-500mm @ 500mm, 1/160 @ f18

[Bobobird]

These are the kind of shots we need a 500 or longer for.
Good detail and sharp. Good angle too.

[redrew]

I agree that a quality long lens is helpful in wildlife and bird photography. This portrait version of the bird was, like many, cropped about 50%, not because I wished the format of a portrait but because the lower half of the bird was behind an obstruction that would have detracted from a full length photo of the bird. This specie is not commonly found in a residential area where I photographed it. However it was encouraged because it was a very hungry young inexperienced hunter and some neighbors started feeding it raw stew meat permitting me to get close enough to photograph. It never returned for more stew meat after the weather turned warm. Feeding wild hawks is frowned upon, but in this case it probably saved the bird from starvation.

[jprzybyla]

Hi Rollin, wonderful detail, nice image. I just shot a couple Red-shouldered yesterday at a nature reserve I go to frequently. They are magnificent birds.

[redrew]

Thank you Joe, my image is nothing like the stunning photography I viewed on your website. Florida is a bird and wildlife photographer's paradise, but one still has to have the skill to capture them, which you demonstrate.