Red-Shouldered Hawk Pre-Launch

The Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a small forest hawk that hunts small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians from its perch. They measure about... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Red-Shouldered Hawk Pre-Launch

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a small forest hawk that hunts small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians from its perch. They measure about 17 inches in length and about 1.4 pounds in weight. They breed mostly on the eastern side of North America and along the California coast. Many of the birds live year-round where they breed, but some of the northern birds migrate south during the winter. Their preferred habitat is forests and woodlands. There is regional variation between Eastern, California, and Florida types. The California type generally is more richly colored with deeper orange color on its head, chest, and abdomen than the other two types. Their diet commonly consists of small mammals (mice, voles, moles) and sometimes medium-sized mammals (squirrels, rabbits), reptiles (snakes), and birds as large as pigeons.

This Red Shouldered Hawk ready to launch into flight from a branch in autumn was photographed at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, in St. Charles County, Missouri on 11-2-2023. I used a Nikon Z9 camera body and a Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S telephoto lens to capture this image. Settings: 1/3200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 3200. The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area was acquired by the State of Missouri from the federal government in the late 1940's. This 7000-acre area was used during World War 2 for production and storage of TNT and DNT, and during the 1960's for the processing of Uranium ore. Subsequently, the large property was thoroughly decontaminated, and then used as a wildlife conservation area.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Nikon Full Frame Cameras, 11-7-2023
Real Animal Photographs, 11-7-2023
Real Beautiful Birds, 11-12-2023
New FAA Uploads, 11-13-2023
Wonder Of Wings, 11-15-2023
All About Birds, 11-21-2023
Midwest America Photography, 11-23-2023
Wild Birds Of The World, 11-25-2023
Art District, 11-27-2023
10 Plus, 11-30-2023

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Uploaded

November 3rd, 2023