It displayed an air of confidence as it winged its way swiftly, low to the ground, then abruptly swooped upward, trading airspeed for altitude, to a graceful landing atop the streetlight. It posed for a few moments, as if to impress upon us how much it had improved since its faltering flights the day before.Continue reading “Fleet Aflight”
Tag Archives: Hawk
Earning Its Wings
Like couple of awkward teenagers, two young hawks cried mournfully from a roost about a dozen feet from their nest. One finally mustered the courage to take off and fly to the other side of the nest, then after a brief pause, it flew to a feeble branch halfway to the ground. Leaves and twigsContinue reading “Earning Its Wings”
Feather Fall
I saw it lying on the ground near a pile of yard debris that I was cleaning up. At first it seemed like a gift from one of the several hawks in our neighborhood. However, according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is actually illegal to possess or collect such feathers without a permit,Continue reading “Feather Fall”
Little Red Riding-hawk
This young hawk perched on the backyard feeder and had us searching the books to identify it. Bandings on the tailfeathers looked familiar, but the rest not so much. Finally, I took its photo and the online app identified it as a juvenile red-shouldered hawk. We have lots of these hawks in our neighborhood, butContinue reading “Little Red Riding-hawk”
Standoff
The squirrel paused warily, watching a hawk barely 20 feet away. The squirrel had the advantage since both were on the ground where squirrel could outrun and out maneuver the hawk. Whether or not he knew, the squirrel had another advantage, the hawk already had its prey in its talons and would waste no furtherContinue reading “Standoff”
Hiding in Plain Sight
Had I not seen him fly up to this perch, I may not have seen him at all. He was hard to find, but that was the point. His secret to survival is to see and not be seen by his “food.” After due deliberation, I decided to call him “Waldo.” #hawk #redshoulderedhawk #oaktree #waldo
Hawkeye
Like this hawk on the birdfeeder, we are warily watching. However, we are watching the weather rather than searching for predators or food. In the next day or so we will have all preparations complete for our second hurricane threat in as many weeks, and the bird feeders will be taken down and placed outContinue reading “Hawkeye”
Out With the Bath Water
It’s bathing done, the hawk beat a hasty exit from the birdbath, leaving behind a streaming trail of droplets. (Composite of two images) #birdbath #hawk #redshoulderedhawk
Bird Watching
The hawk settled on its usual branch in our backyard where it perched, patiently watching, waiting for subtle signs of the slightest motion of some sort of prey that it could turn into a meal. Both it and its mate on a nearby nest were in serious need of nourishment, while tiny creatures below didContinue reading “Bird Watching”
Rooftop Raptor
Be it voles, squirrels, or birds at the feeder, this predator is looking for food, and as far as his potential prey is concerned, he is up to no good. #hawk #bird #birdfeeder
Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings 