Red-shouldered Hawk Head-shot

Image # 1D2_07086

Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park

Canon 600L/f4 IS

ISO 640, f/4, 1/1000 second

Manual Exposure

Gitzo 1329/Arca Swiss B1/Wimberley Sidekick

This was taken a few minutes before the previous Tricolored shot.  We were slowly walking along that same path, and out of nowhere, this Hawk flew by us and landed in a tree just above our heads, about 15 feet behind us.  We were on the wrong side of the light, and so we ever so slowly backed up to get into a better shooting position.  Fortunately, it didn't fly off, and allowed us to shoot for several minutes before taking off.  It was so close that with the 600mm lens, I couldn't get more than a head-shot!