I photographed this red-shouldered hawk at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma on September 20, 2022. It was perched above the auto tour road in soft early morning light, watching the ground below for movement.
Red-shouldered Hawk Watching from a High Perch
This hawk gave me a good look at the field marks that make the species stand out. Its reddish-brown plumage showed well in the morning light. The barred chest and bold patterning also stood out as it sat above the road and scanned the landscape.
The bird stayed on a branch long enough for me to watch its hunting behavior. Like many raptors, it used a perch as a lookout. From there, it could study the ground for prey before making a move.
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge fits this species well. The mix of wooded cover, wetlands, and open ground creates good hunting habitat. That kind of edge habitat gives a red-shouldered hawk places to perch and room to search for small animals below.
The plumage on this bird looked vivid and well defined. Based on that appearance, it seemed to be an adult.
Photographing a Red-shouldered Hawk from the Auto Tour Road
I made this photo while parked on the refuge auto tour road. I stayed in my pickup and used the truck as a blind so I would not spook the bird. That gave me a chance to work from a respectful distance while the hawk remained calm.
The early light helped a lot. It brought out the warm tones in the feathers without creating harsh contrast. It also gave the scene a softer look that worked well for a perched portrait.
For this image, I used the following settings:
- Date: 9/20/22
- Time: 7:32:36 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Focal Length: 800mm
- ISO: 1000
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
- Exposure Compensation: +0.3
The 800mm focal length let me fill the frame without getting too close. My shutter speed was fast enough to hold detail in case the hawk moved. At f/11, I had enough depth of field to keep the bird sharp while the background stayed soft enough to separate the subject.
Why Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Is Ideal for Raptors
One thing I like about Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is how much variety it offers. Wetlands, timber, and open areas all come together there. That creates strong habitat for many bird species, including raptors.
The auto tour road also makes wildlife observation easier. I can watch birds from the vehicle with less disturbance than walking in on foot. In this case, that made all the difference. The hawk stayed focused on the landscape, and I was able to make several frames while it held its perch.
This encounter was a good reminder of why I keep returning to places like Sequoyah. A single perched hawk can turn a quiet morning drive into a memorable wildlife moment.