Actually perched atop an old beaver lodge, about 4 feet above the water. I was able to float to within about 15 meters before a pair of swallows dive bombed and drove him away.
Cool picture! Although I'm a bit of a novice, and hawks are hard to tell apart sometimes, I don't think this is a juvie red-tail. The juvies tend to have what you call a "belly band" and there is clearly not one on this hawk. Maybe this is a juvie cooper's (I know those juvies have yellow eyes) ... but, again, I'm no expert :)
Great shot Rob.
I'm with @not_left_handed in that I don't think it's a Red-tailed...doesn't fit quite...(belly-band is a main one, but also in general)...but I am no expert and am not sure what else to suggest. Cooper's have more streaking on the belly, but I don't known them at all.
You could post on What Bird...they are great for helping ID birds. http://www.whatbird.com/
I'm with @not_left_handed in that I don't think it's a Red-tailed...doesn't fit quite...(belly-band is a main one, but also in general)...but I am no expert and am not sure what else to suggest. Cooper's have more streaking on the belly, but I don't known them at all.
You could post on What Bird...they are great for helping ID birds. http://www.whatbird.com/
Thanks!!! ;-)