This is a broad‑winged hawk (Buteo platypterus). I haven’t seen one recently, and I captured this image some time ago. Every time I’ve spotted one, it’s been high overhead, making it tough to get a detailed, close‑up shot.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A broad‑winged hawk glides overhead, suspended in a clean, endless blue sky. You see it from below, as if you’re standing in a clearing and it has chosen that exact moment to pass above you. Its wings are spread wide—broad, rounded, and powerful—each feather catching the sunlight in a slightly different shade of brown, cream, and charcoal. The patterning is striking: dark bands along the trailing edges of the wings, pale mottling across the chest and belly, and a tail marked with bold, even stripes that look almost painted on.
The hawk’s body is compact and muscular, built for soaring on rising air. From this angle, the bird feels both close and unreachable—its silhouette sharp, its motion effortless. There’s a sense of quiet authority in the way it holds itself aloft, as though the sky belongs to it alone. The simplicity of the background, nothing but blue, makes the hawk’s details even more vivid: the layered feathers, the barred tail, the subtle curve of the wings as they adjust to invisible currents.
It’s a moment of stillness and motion at once—an intimate glimpse of a wild creature doing exactly what it was made to do." - Microsoft Copilot
A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) soared high overhead yesterday, its broad wings catching the light as it circled a few times—likely scanning for prey. The sky was clear, and the hawk’s reddish tail flared against the blue as it drifted past. My backyard tends to draw a crowd of birds, and this visitor added a touch of wild majesty to the usual bustle.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"The red-tailed hawk soars midair against a flawless blue sky, its wings stretched wide in a commanding display of power and grace. Each feather is etched with detail—dark bars and mottled patterns that ripple like brushstrokes across the wings. The underbelly glows pale, almost ivory, contrasting with the rich, rust-colored tail that fans out like a flame. Sunlight catches the hawk’s plumage, casting subtle shadows that emphasize its muscular form and aerodynamic poise. Its head is slightly turned, eyes sharp and focused, as if scanning the earth below with sovereign intent. The hawk’s posture is both elegant and fierce—an emblem of wild precision suspended in motion." - Microsoft Copilot
A few autumns ago, in the morning rain, this hawk appeared in the oak tree just beyond my backyard fence. I first tried photographing it through the storm door, but a veil of leaves obscured its head. So I improvised—a quick waterproof cover for my camera—and stepped out into the rain to bear witness properly. Based on its size, I believe it’s a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), though it could be a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). The resemblance between the two is uncanny—this is a sovereign guess, not a definitive ID.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"Perched with quiet authority on a lichen-dappled branch, the Cooper’s Hawk surveys its domain with piercing red eyes that seem to burn through the amber hush of fall. Its chest is cloaked in fine horizontal barring—rust and cream etched like ceremonial armor—while its head bears a dark cap, sleek and regal, as if donned for a rite of passage. The hooked beak curves downward in silent readiness, a symbol of precision and power.
The branch beneath it is mottled with pale green lichen, like ancestral script etched into wood. Behind the hawk, the background blazes with autumn’s palette—leaves in fiery reds and soft oranges blur into a painterly wash, framing the bird in seasonal reverence. The hawk’s posture is alert yet composed, talons gripping the branch with sovereign steadiness, as if guarding a mythic threshold between forest and sky.
This is no casual perch—it’s a vigil. A moment suspended in amber light, where predator and season meet in ceremonial stillness." - Microsoft Copilot
A large beige bird of prey perches in a scraggly tree overlooking a misty blue sky. The bird is backlit with a rim of sun kiss around the head. This is the Yellow-headed Caracara. Mirador el Roble, Colombia. Nov 2025. Photo by Peachfront.
An image doesn’t need perfection to be captivating. This overexposed, slightly fuzzy photograph of an osprey skimming low across a lake feels less like a literal snapshot and more like a minimalistic, pastel watercolor—an impressionist vision rendered in flight.
Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.
I caught this Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter striatus) mid-groom, feathers fluffed in quiet concentration. It glanced up, eyes sharp and unbothered, as if to say, “Yes? Can I help you?”
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"Perched amid a tangle of bare winter branches, a Cooper’s hawk strikes a pose that feels more comic than commanding. Its body leans forward at an odd angle, talons gripping the branch with a mix of precision and precariousness. The hawk’s tail fans out dramatically behind it—like a feathered rudder caught mid-turn—revealing bold bands of dark and light that ripple with tension. Its chest, streaked with pale brown and cream, seems puffed in protest or surprise, while its head twists slightly, eyes locked in a fierce, almost puzzled gaze.
The surrounding branches, skeletal and leafless, frame the hawk like a stage set for a winter drama. The lighting is crisp, highlighting the texture of each feather and the taut muscles beneath. There’s a sense of motion paused—like the hawk was about to launch, slipped, and decided to play it cool. The moment is frozen in high detail, capturing both the majesty and the comic vulnerability of this raptor in a rare, unguarded instant." - Microsoft Copilot
During our morning walk, birds were scarce. I did manage to catch a sparrow of some sort, though I haven’t taken it off the camera yet. Yesterday, however, a turkey vulture—Cathartes aura—drifted overhead. I’ve captured many images of these birds over time. They’re plentiful around here, and in the air, they look magnificent—broad-winged, effortless, almost mythic in their glide.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A solitary turkey vulture soars against a vast, cloudless blue sky, its wings stretched wide in a commanding glide. The bird’s silhouette is unmistakable—broad wings with a slight upward tilt, like a pair of outstretched arms mid-blessing. The feathers reveal a two-toned tapestry: deep charcoal and black along the body and inner wings, fading to a golden-brown shimmer on the outer edges. Sunlight catches the tips, giving the impression of burnished bronze in motion.
Its head, small and featherless, glows red like a ceremonial mask—both practical and iconic. The bare skin speaks of its role in nature’s cleanup crew, a hygienic adaptation for feeding on carrion. Yet in flight, the vulture is anything but grim. It moves with grace, riding invisible thermals, scanning the earth below with quiet authority.
There’s no urgency in its posture, no flapping or fuss—just a slow, deliberate glide, as if the sky itself had granted it passage. The image captures the bird mid-air, suspended in a moment of sovereign stillness, a master of the currents and keeper of the wild." - Microsoft Copilot
Charlie and I sat outside this morning watching birds—though there weren’t many around, at least not that I could see. The blue jays stayed out of sight, but I heard them raising a racket nearby just before a hawk made a quick sweep across the backyard. I wasn’t ready, and the appearance was brief, but I did manage to catch this blurry image of the hawk in flight. Based on the wing proportions, I believe it’s a Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus).
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A raptor glides overhead against a clear blue sky, its wings outstretched in a broad, steady arc. The photograph captures the bird from below, mid-flight, but the image is softly blurred—its edges feathered by motion or focus, like a memory half-formed or a dream in transit.
Despite the lack of sharp detail, the bird’s silhouette is unmistakably hawk-like: compact body, broad wings with rounded tips, and a tail that fans slightly as it rides the air. The plumage appears mottled, with light and dark patches suggesting banding or barring, though the blur renders specifics elusive. The posture is purposeful, gliding rather than flapping, as if surveying the land below with sovereign intent.
The sky is a clean canvas—no clouds, no distractions—just the hawk and its blurred echo, suspended in flight. The image feels like a fleeting witness to something wild and watchful, caught just as it passed overhead.
I’ve got a batch of overexposed Mississippi Kite images—Ictinia mississippiensis, if we’re being formal. I decided to see what I could salvage from one, aiming for a rustic feel. I think I’ve landed there. Birds of prey make it easy; they carry drama even when the lighting doesn’t.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A Mississippi Kite soars overhead, wings outstretched in a graceful arc. The viewer sees the bird from below, silhouetted against a bright, cloudless sky. Its wings are long and tapered, patterned with soft gradients of brown, white, and charcoal gray. The underside of the bird is pale, almost silver, with a dark patch near the head that gives definition to its streamlined form. Its tail fans out behind it, banded with alternating stripes of light and dark, like a ceremonial sash trailing in the wind.
The bird’s posture is effortless—gliding, not flapping—its body angled slightly forward as if pulled by an invisible thread. Each feather is distinct, etched against the sky like brushstrokes in motion. The light catches the bird’s underside, illuminating its quiet power and aerodynamic grace. There’s no background clutter—just sky and flight—making the Kite feel mythic, sovereign, and free.
This is not just a bird in motion. It’s a moment of stillness within movement, a quiet perch midair, a ledger entry written in wind." - Microsoft Copilot
Owls can seem rather eerie, especially when lurking in the shadowed recesses of the forest. I imagine that sense of unease is even more pronounced for small animals. This barred owl (Strix varia) is no exception—tucked deep within a tangle of leaves and branches, it watches me with an unblinking gaze as I pass.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A barred owl perches silently on a thick tree branch, cloaked in a dense tangle of vines and foliage. The photograph is in black and white, emphasizing texture over color—every feather, leaf, and tendril rendered in shades of shadow and light. The owl’s plumage blends seamlessly with the bark and bramble, its mottled stripes and speckled chest echoing the forest’s own camouflage. Its round face is partially obscured by a curling vine, giving the impression that the forest itself is trying to keep the owl hidden.
The owl’s eyes, though not fully visible, seem to peer through the veil of leaves with quiet intensity. Its posture is still, alert, and ancient—like a sentinel woven into the woods. The surrounding vegetation forms a natural lattice, a chaotic yet elegant mesh of branches and leaves that both conceal and frame the owl. Mist or soft haze drifts across the lower part of the image, adding a spectral quality, as if the owl is emerging from a dream or slipping into myth.
Depuis quelques années, un couple de pygargues s'est installé en Sologne, dans la région où je fais pas mal d'observations nature.
Même s'il est difficile de savoir où se trouvera ce rapace (le plus rare de France métropolitaine), c'est plutôt simple de se rendre compte de sa présence : quand il arrive au dessus d'un étang, il fait fuir pratiquement tous les oiseaux ! Un grand bruissement d'ailes accueille celui qui est très silencieux.
(Pygargue à queue blanche, Loir-et-cher, Fr, 10/25)
Un pygargue à queue blanche (grand aigle marron avec un bec crochu jaune et imposant et un arrière train tout blanc) en vol. Des tas de canards et de bécassines volent devant lui.
It’s been a while since I shared a glimpse of the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). This one was drifting effortlessly above the treetops this morning, riding the wind like a quiet sentinel.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A solitary turkey vulture glides through a cloudless blue sky, its wings stretched wide like a dark sail catching invisible wind. The bird’s body is cloaked in deep charcoal feathers, but the undersides of its wings shimmer with silvery tones—like brushed steel—highlighting the layered architecture of its flight feathers. Its head, bare and crimson, juts forward with quiet intent, a living compass scanning the earth below. The vulture’s posture is effortless, almost regal, suspended in a moment of pure aerial grace. There’s no urgency in its flight—just the slow, deliberate mastery of thermals and silence. Against the vast canvas of sky, the bird becomes both sentinel and shadow, a drifting witness to the land’s quiet stories." - Copilot
An osprey glides just above the calm water’s surface, wings stretched in quiet command. Splashes rise in its wake, brief punctuation to its passage. Below, the water mirrors its flight—a perfect reflection suspended in motion.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A solitary bird glides above a calm body of water, wings outstretched in a wide arc that suggests both power and grace. The bird is captured mid-flight, suspended in a moment that feels both fleeting and eternal. Its body is angled slightly forward, as if slicing through the air with quiet resolve. The wings are fully extended, each feather splayed like the ribs of a fan, catching the light in subtle gradations of gray and white.
Beneath the bird, the water mirrors its form with uncanny precision. The reflection is crisp, nearly symmetrical, as if the surface were a pane of glass rather than liquid. A small splash or ripple disturbs the water directly below the bird—perhaps the echo of a recent touch, or the ghost of a missed landing. The rest of the water remains undisturbed, smooth as silk, stretching outward into a soft blur of muted tones.
The background is minimal, almost abstract. There are no landmarks, no distractions—just the bird, the water, and the quiet geometry between them. The atmosphere is serene, almost meditative, with the image offering a sense of stillness despite the motion it captures.
In the bottom right corner, the watermark “Swede’s Photographs” is inscribed, a subtle signature that anchors the image without intruding on its quiet drama.
This is not just a bird in flight—it’s a moment of balance, a gesture of symmetry, a dispatch from the threshold between air and reflection." - Copilot
Yesterday morning—Saturday, 13 September 2025—I looked out into the backyard and noticed a dark shape perched on the back fence near the bird feeder. At first glance, I thought it was a squirrel, its tail hanging down in that familiar arc. But as my brain caught up with my eyes, I realized it was something else entirely.
I grabbed my camera and headed to the sunroom, hoping to get a few shots without disturbing the figure. Through the lens, the mystery resolved: a Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), just hanging out, back to me, head turned nearly 180 degrees, scanning the ground below like a surgeon preparing for the first incision.
I cracked the door open and took a few more pictures. Then I stepped out onto the patio—and that was enough. The hawk lifted off and flew into the forest, landing in an oak tree just beyond the yard. It was still close enough for a few decent shots, but birds being birds, it tucked itself behind a veil of leaves, hidden but not gone.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A Cooper’s hawk perches on a white backyard fence, its back to the camera, body taut and feathers layered like a well-kept archive. The plumage is grayish-brown, sleek and orderly, catching soft light that reveals subtle ripples and banding. But the drama lies in the head—turned nearly 180 degrees, twisted with avian precision, as if the neck were a hinge of pure intent.
Its sharp beak points downward, and its blazing orange eye scans the ground below, hunting without motion. The gaze is surgical, focused, and unblinking. This is not a casual perch—it’s surveillance. The tail feathers fan slightly behind, balanced and banded, while the wings remain folded tight against the body, conserving energy for the moment of strike.
I was photographing a Carolina Chickadee this morning when a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) suddenly popped into the frame. How often does that happen, right? Just milliseconds before, the chickadee had been perched with a sunflower seed on the small horizontal branch directly above the hawk. Lucky, lucky, lucky.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A juvenile Cooper’s Hawk perches on a sturdy tree branch, surrounded by a mix of green leaves and early autumn tones—faint yellows and browns just beginning to whisper change. The hawk’s plumage is mottled brown and white, with vertical streaks down its chest like brushstrokes on parchment. Its eyes are a vivid yellow, round and unblinking, scanning the scene with the intensity of a creature built for precision.
The beak is sharply curved, pale at the base and dark at the tip—made for tearing, not decoration. Its talons grip the branch with quiet authority, claws curled into bark like punctuation marks. The tail feathers hang long and patterned, alternating bands of black and white that echo the hawk’s youth—still growing, still learning, but already formidable.
The background is softly blurred, a wash of forest tones that isolates the hawk in sharp relief. It’s not in flight, not in motion, but the posture suggests readiness—like a thought held just before action. The bird is alert but not alarmed, perched in a moment of suspended decision.
I took this image last year in Gulfport, Mississippi. The silhouette is an osprey in flight over the Gulf of Mexico—wings stretched wide, cutting through the coastal light.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A lone bird—likely an osprey—cuts through the air, its wings outstretched in a sharp, angular silhouette. It glides above a body of water lit by scattered sunlight, the surface fractured into a thousand bright shards. The upper half of the image is alive with sparkle, while the lower half settles into calmer tones. In the distance, a faint horizon line marks where ocean meets sky—a quiet seam that anchors the scene. The osprey’s dark form floats between shimmer and stillness, suspended in mid-flight. There’s a sense of ritual in its passage, as if summoned by light itself. The contrast between the bird’s shadowed shape and the glittering water evokes both mystery and motion, a moment caught between worlds." - Copilot with edits
A majestic golden eagle with striking brown and blue feathers gazes into the distance, exuding an aura of strength and grace. Its sharp eye and beak are highlighted in contrast to the dark, blurred background.
A majestic golden eagle with striking brown and blue feathers gazes into the distance, exuding an aura of strength and grace. Its sharp eye and beak are highlighted in contrast to the dark, blurred background.
During our Friday walk, I spotted this Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)—the closest encounter I’ve ever had with one. I kind of wish I’d had my other camera with me. My first instinct told me it was a Mississippi Kite, but when I tried to verify the ID using apps and such, things got a bit finicky. I think the uncertainty came from the angle and the way the coloration appears here. The tail looks unusually long, but I believe that’s actually a portion of the left wing extending behind it. The brownish tint seems to be more a trick of the light than true plumage. Fortunately, I managed to get another image from a different angle, which helped confirm the identification.
Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:
"A Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) perches on a rugged tree branch, its sleek body angled slightly forward as if caught mid-decision—stay or soar. Its wings are partially unfurled, not in full flight but in a tense readiness, like a coiled spring. The bird’s long, elegant tail feathers trail behind it, tapering into the air with quiet grace. Its piercing red eyes are fixed to the right, alert and unblinking, scanning the space where you might have approached too closely. The branch it grips is mottled with green and yellow lichen, rough and ancient, adding texture and age to the scene. Behind the bird, the sky blurs into a soft wash of blue, offering a gentle contrast to the sharp detail of the kite’s feathers and the bark beneath its talons. The moment feels suspended—charged with the possibility of sudden motion." - Copilot
watercolour, duotone; a layered swirl with a bright top and a dark base formed of feather-like brush strokes, forming a talon curling from bottom to top left; fad repeated partial talons sit in the background. colour varies between muted teal, pale teal and charcoal.
The head of the Owl is one third from the top and one third from the right of the photo.
It is looking out in the distance while sitting on a small branch.
There is more trees in behind the Owl.
An osprey is captured in mid-flight, clutching a fish tightly in its talons, against a blurred background of trees. The bird's wings are spread wide, showcasing its distinctive pattern and powerful physique. Photography by Debra Martz
If a photo takes a metric s***ton of processing, you probably won't be happy with the final result & so it is with this phone digiscope of Slender-billed Kite that I had to settle for because we were in the forest, with changing light, on horseback where I couldn't get to my real camera
A rather annoyed looking little kite sits on a mossy branch in a blurred-out green forest. The perky yellow eye, orange feet, and especially long decurved bill + the slate feathers with no visible white tells us that we have met the Slender-billed Kite. Darien, Panama. Samsung Galaxy S24 ultra Phone Photo by Peachfront (with some help from guide & his scope)