dark morph RT

I have been seeing more (or aware of more?) dark morph red-tailed hawks lately. This amazingly beautiful bird was right on a power line tower by the road as I was speeding by at 55mph, but I turned around to check it out. I try not to stress birds when I see them by getting too close – it’s amazing, as soon as you turn attention on them, even from even a far distance, they are often stressed unless you are careful about how you control your energy and focus. I observed this one from outside my vehicle for a few minutes, from a distance, and it then flew towards me and circled above for one or two cycles. So beautiful.

dark morph red-tailed hawk

dark morph red-tailed hawk

dark morph red-tailed hawk

dark morph red-tailed hawk

I consider it an honor and a gift if they choose to be photographed, or even viewed, at a close distance. This one seemed to want to say hello.