I saw this while driving. I took the picture from a distance on the side of a road. This bird was in the woods and seemed to stay within it. I believe it is a red-shouldered hawk.
Red-Shouldered Hawk -This one I added colour to.Red-Shouldered Hawk- This one I did not add colour.
I had one person look at the back of the camera and he thought that is what it was. Also, that is the first choice the Merlin App gives for it. The second choice was a broad-winged hawk. The lighting was not great and it was taken from quite a distance. The photo is also heavily cropped and lightened. The colours may not be totally accurate. It appears to be an immature. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
This was shot from today. A lot of action with the owls repeatedly trying to knock the hawks off the posts. I had just arrived and the spots close to the action were crowded. I took these standing in between people from behind. This very large area of acreage shuts down access to most of the land after the short eared owls arrive to protect them. People are allowed to stand in certain areas very small areas on the land. The owls will fly close to where the people are allowed to stand.
You are in My Spot 2
The light was not ideal as it was cloudy and on the dark side before sunset. We are expecting rain the next few days which is greatly needed. Have a great week!
The short-eared owls have been back a few weeks. They are taking no prisoners. There are not letting the hawks hang out on the posts. This reminds me of Sheldon in Big Bang Theory. He did not like anyone sitting in his chair.
You’re In My Spot!
The short-eared owls would fly up and try to knock the hawks off the posts. They were also chasing them around the refuge.
You’re In My Spot!
The owls are not landing on any of the numerous posts put up for perching. Hopefully they will soon. Sometimes that is your best chance at a decent shot because you can lower the shutter speed.
You’re In My Spot!
Do you have a favourite spot? Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
What do you think of when you hear the term “gray ghost?” For some it brings to mind the football player, Tony Canadeo, who played for the Green Bay Packers many years ago and earned his place in the Hall of Fame. Some people think automatically of of Bruce Wayne’s hero in Batman. Others think of Confederate soldier Mosby who led raids on Federal supply lines during the US Civil War and was known for his ability to appear, disappear, and blend in with locals. But did you know there is a hawk that is known as the gray ghost? The male northern harrier has that nickname.
The Gray Ghost
Males have different colouring than females. All the pictures shown here are male northern harriers.
The Gray Ghost It flys just above and among the tops of the tall grasses.
Diet
Northern harriers eat small rodents such as mice and voles. The location of these pictures appears to have many mice and voles. Amongst other things they eat small rabbits and other birds. They say many farmers like northern harriers because they eat mice that damage crops. Harriers are sometimes called “good hawks” because they pose no threat to poultry as some hawks do.
The Gray Ghost – The one above has blood on its claws from the last catch.
How they Hunt
Northern harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas during the daytime. I frequently see them flying in the late afternoon before the owls come up. When hunting, harriers circle an area several times listening and looking for prey. They can hover and make sharp turns. When they spot prey, they swoop down and grab the prey with their sharp claws. They will also steal prey from owls, which I have seen them try to do at the location pictured.
The Gray Ghost
Native American Symbolism
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife some Native American tribes believe that seeing a hawk on your wedding day is a sign of a long, happy marriage.
This bird has been ghost like and elusive to me. This is the first year I have seen it up close enough to get good shots. Maybe it was tired of the attention the owls were getting. Have a great rest of your week.
I have heard this weird squawk of a hawk the past few weeks in the woods. I have only seen the hawk on its own. Honestly the squawk is not exactly like the sounds I am hearing on different websites for a Cooper’s Hawk. I hear barred owls make sounds I do not hear on websites either though.
The hawk above is the original one I hear making the odd sound. In different light it appears to fit a Copper’s Hawk. It has orangish eyes and a blueish grey feathers on the back.
This one was with the original hawk on the same branch/ tree. This one was silent. I could not tell for sure, but it looked like it had prey by its feet. Something is coming out of its mouth on the left side.
In this light it looks like this second one has a blueish grey area on its back as well. I am guessing these are now a pair. Other hawks flying overhead in the same area were red tailed hawks. It seems like there are other birds of prey in the area this year. It may be why I am hearing less bluejays, etc.
I could hear this hawk constantly on my walk when I got within earshot. I think Mettatsunami was correct. It was looking for a mate. Keep enjoying your weekend!
Name the hawk. Is it a red shouldered? A cooper’s hawk? The light situation was bad. Ad on top of it I just started using the Merlin Bird Identification App. and Merlin could not identify its call. I also could not get a picture of its back. It was facing me next to a hiking trail with its back to a busy road, so the recording I tried to make was not good quality with cars passing by.
This guy must not have been in hunting mode. He is giving himself away with his call.Looks like he is going to fall over here.
It sounds kind of like this call from All About Birds, A Red Shouldered.
So, what’s your verdict? I am leaning towards red-shouldered because its call is closer than the ones I hear of the Copper’s Hawk. Regardless, is it a juvenile? Obviously, I am not a bird expert.
Do red tailed hawks have a sense of smell? This one makes me wonder. One of the hawk’s go to spots to perch is on top of a wildlife refuge’s latrine chimney.
I call this hawk Diva, because it seems to want all the attention at the refuge. It seemingly poses for photographers.
These were taken yesterday. It was sunny, but very windy and frigid. What do you think? Do hawks have a sense of smell?
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. Author Unknown
The pictures below were all taken recently in the Hudson Valley of New York. Some animals stay here the entire year. Others come from regions further north to winter here. Hopefully, I will catch some of these winter visitors soon.
Found this guy on top of a power pole alongside a rural road.Squirrel stuffing himself silly on a branch in the woods.
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
The next photos are from a short trip I took a wildlife refuge. I hope to return there this weekend weather permitting.
Two bluebirds in the field. They followed me around on my walk.Possibly their nest was in the the hole of this tree.This hawk flies fairly low over the field then dives to get its prey.Hawk flying with the Gunks in the background
Fall unofficially ended today with a major snowstorm. We could get over a foot by the time it passes through. Did the animals know a storm would be arriving soon? Do animals sense these things? Can they forecast weather?
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