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This is where it all started! While on a tour with Jordan Lake Tours (Capt David is AWESOME!). The day was cloudy, early morning in spring and there was little rain!
This is a uncropped photo btw, to give you a perspective on how far the subject was! (600mm/Full-frame)
🚤 The Weekend Tour That Took Off Before We Even Did! Our Jordan Lake Tour this weekend kicked off even before we stepped onto the boat. As we gathered ourselves and got into the rhythm of things, we noticed a feisty kingbird was check ing us out — a perfect prelude to what lay ahead!
Soon after, the real star arrived: a Red-tailed Hawk, cleared for landing… although the chosen “gate” was anything but ideal! That’s part of the thrill — these hawks usually prefer open perches, and this one’s choice was far from stable. That told me one thing: it wouldn’t stay put for long.
And that’s exactly what unfolded — right before our eyes. The hawk shifted, rebalanced, flapped, turned, reconsidered, and eventually bailed out in search of a better perch. All of this happened in under a minute, giving us an incredible series of looks and behavioral cues.
📸 My camera got a proper workout almost instantly. From delicate glances to subtle wing shifts, it reminded me once again — wildlife behavior tells its own story, especially when patience meets payoff. Here are a few frames I loved from that rapid-fire moment.
Let the images do the talking…
🦅 Why raptors choose certain branches!Hawks (e.g., Red-tailed Hawks)
Perch strategy: Often choose exposed perches like dead trees or high snags to get a clear view of open areas (fields, roadsides) where they hunt small mammals or birds.
Branch type: Open branches give a wide field of view and fast launch access, but can be unstable — hence the balancing/flapping.
We moved on! but the tour did not end!! We got to see Osprey baby/chicks, a Bald Eagle soar right above us and much more!