It was a perfect winter morning, sun shining without the wind which was relentless for days. The temperature was near zero. My husband has had problems with his camera and wanted to test it on our favourite part of the boardwalk.
We parked the car and as we prepared to exit, there it was, a red-tailed hawk.
While they are common in the skies over fields as they hunt for rodents, we had never seen one up close.
Such hawk splendor! He was big, mottled, red brown and white. Then he turned his head.
He had rodent for breakfast. We were glad it wasn't a squirrel. He was skillful in his handling of the food, using beak and talons.
Eventually, he turned towards us.
With the rodent hung from his mouth,
he looked around, vigilant.
We could see that hawk eye, the beautiful white breast and the mottled legs.
He had a firm grip on breakfast as he prepared to take flight.
We missed the photo of the hawk in flight. He was too fast for us to follow. We were happy with what we did capture though, a once in a lifetime experience.
30 comments:
Good Morning! Wow, incredible that you were able to capture such great pictures. Hope you have an enjoyable day. Mildred
There's nothing to beat a nice fresh juicy rodent for breakfast, still warm from the nest. So yummy! Rodents are definitely top of the list on the red tailed hawk's Food Guide!
You have captured such powerful and realistic images! Yes, My image of hawk is that he is flying high in the sky for hunting!
The circle of life.
Great pictures! I love seeing hawks. Once when my son was on his daily run, he noticed a mouse in the path in front of him. Then...a big hawk swooped down in front of him and snatched up the mouse! Yes, I am glad yours got a mouse and not a poor squirrel! I do think they pick up squirrels a lot though! Andrea
Your husband's camera look as if it is working now, fantastic images of the hawk and it's prey. Sarah x
Wow...some good shots you got there. Up close and personal!
Red tail are common around here, too. Wonderful photos!
We were lucky to be there at that time, Mildred. Hope you have a great evening.
Lol. Indeed, Shammi!
They are such powerful birds, Tomoko.
My thoughts, too, Debra.
That was quite a sight for your son, Andrea. We didn't see the hawk catch the rodent. That would have been special too.
He grabbed my camera for these shots, Sarah. However, his camera is working well now.
They are indeed, hula-la. Thank you for visiting.
Thank you, Joanne. They are beauties, aren't they?
You qualify as a hawk eye.
Lol. Thanks, I think. Lol, AC.
That's a great prize to get pictures of this hawk. They are such wonderful birds. Very good pictures.
Wow! These are truly impressive photos. I have never been able to be that close to actually see the facial details up close like that. Thanks so much for sharing these. :-)
Thank you, Ratty. They are impressive birds.
Thank you, Jan. We couldn't believe our luck to be so close to this beauty!
We had fun a few years ago watching a hawk demolish a large wild goose that had been shot and washed to our shore. He was quite adept.
You were at the right place at the right time to get some fantastic shots. I've seen a hawk fly with a writhing snake twice. It was a little scary because I was worried both times that the bird would lose its grip and drop the snake on me!
Their beaks and talons are incredible, Tabor!
That scene would scare me too, Barb, for the same reason.
wonderful timing - great captures!!!
It was great timing indeed, Debbie!
Wow! Talk about being in the right place at the right time, with your camera!
I know, FG. So fortuitous!
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