I learned years ago that raptors of all types see me long before I see them. If I want to get decent shots of them, I generally need to stay in my car with the engine running, which is neither intuitive nor easy.
I spotted this particular hawk1 ahead of me at Bosque del Apache, on the right side of the road. I slowly and lazily drifted over to the left side of the one-way stretch, lowering both windows as I drove. I put the brake on, then quickly leaned across the passenger side and tilted the camera up so that, although the lens wasn’t sticking out of the open window, I could see through it up and out of the window.
I imagine a photo of me at that moment would’ve been pretty funny. My head was sideways, so low that it was almost on the passenger seat itself, and I was contorted into a position that people of my age probably should not even consider unless they’re yogis — which I am not. I fired off what I thought were about four shots … and the hawk took off. I was pleased to realize when I got home that there were actually 16 shots. This was the only one that showed the hawk’s tongue.
Next up, a cormorant sunning itself near Tingley Beach in Albuquerque. This is a classic pose for them but, for whatever reason, I usually see their front side rather than their back. I thought this was a particularly stunning display of feathers. Cormorants aren’t nearly as skittish as raptors (or even flickers) but I think you can see that it was keeping a close eye on me nonetheless.
I saved my favorite for last — an adorably fuzzy porcupine in a South Valley tree.2 I believe porcupines live in the bosque year-round, but since they’re usually pretty high up, it’s hard to see them in any season other than winter. I think its furry little foot is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
I’ve proven to myself time and again that I can’t identify hawks to save my life. Plus I know several of you are able to identify them, so I’m not even going to try this time. I would like to think it’s a red-tailed hawk, but doubt I got that lucky.
I really don’t understand how that could possibly be a comfortable position but then again, I’m not a porcupine.
Awesome as always! ❤️
There is a porcupine often in the wisteria at the Botanical Gardens.
I would say red-tailed. At BdA, the hawks you’ll see are almost always red-tailed or Northern harriers.