Sharp-shinned Hawk – Juvenile

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Sharp-shinned Hawk – Juvenile

A surprise find at the Ridgefield NWR on Dec. 16, 2011!  I was finishing a loop of the auto tour and driving by the tree next to the “office” and saw the bird perched there from my driver’s side window.  At first I thought it might be an American Kestrel based on size and the fact that they are common at the refuge.  But its dark plumage was cause enough for me to pick up my camera and shoot.   The young bird gave me one second to fire about a half-dozen frames and flew off.  I’m so happy it turned its head toward me.  Not the prettiest background on this shot but a lifer, nonetheless.  Taken with my Canon 7D, 1/1250, f10, ISO800, Canon 400mm f5.6L lens.

A surprise find at the Ridgefield NWR on Dec. 16, 2011!  I was finishing a loop of the auto tour and driving by the tree next to the “office” and saw the bird perched there from my driver’s side window.  At first I thought it might be an American Kestrel based on size and the fact that they are common at the refuge.  But its dark plumage was cause enough for me to pick up my camera and shoot.   The young bird gave me one second to fire about a half-dozen frames and flew off.  I’m so happy it turned its head toward me.  Not the prettiest background on this shot but a lifer, nonetheless.  Taken with my Canon 7D, 1/1250, f10, ISO800, Canon 400mm f5.6L lens.

4 thoughts on “Sharp-shinned Hawk – Juvenile”

    1. Thanks, Ernie! Glad you liked it. I was quite happy with it too, especially when I expected it would probably end up being one my ‘documentartion’ photos at the time I was taking it. 🙂 I need to get back to Americanwildbird.com and upload some more shots. I’ve been spreading myself too thin lately! Thanks for commenting!

  1. I was so excited to see this same hawk in my back area just about 8 feet from my kitchen window!! I live 2 miles north of Battle Ground, just off the Louis River.It was on the ground under my feeder, I think the chipmunks attracted it. I did not have my camera handy, darn it. It was up in my studio where I was photographing some dolls. I tried to sneak up there but he flew away. It is a smallish hawk, not much bigger then the Stellar Jays. I was happy to find your site to help me identify him. Thank you. Your photo is fabulous! Christine

    1. That’s really cool, Christine, to see this hawk in your back yard! Bummer you didn’t get a shot. I wish there were more of them around Ridgefield! Beautiful bird, that’s for sure!

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