Tag: #RedTailedHawk

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

I stopped on a dark day after work to see the osprey, but only saw this red-tailed hawk up close instead. I have been to this location several times, but it was the first time I saw a red-tailed hawk there.

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

This park borders a large piece of private property that includes a field and a lot of woods, so this hawk has a variety of spots to chose from. I am guessing it does not go to the shoreline as much.

It was scanning the shoreline of the Hudson River under the tree it was perched on and watching the kingfishers and other birds pass by.

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

After it fanned out it’s wing feathers it flew off right over my head. I did not take pictures of its flight as I was sure I did not have the shutter speed high enough. It appeared to possibly land and catch something in a grassy area behind me. It was not my anticipated subject, but good to see all the same. Have a great weekend!

Red-Tailed Diva

This hawk wants all the attention. She flies close to people. Sometimes she flies by us with her catch. Sometimes she lands near us to catch vole. Other times she brings her catch to a post or tree close to where people are allowed to stand so we can admire her hunting ability. It is a red-tailed diva.

Red-Tailed Diva Flying from a bird house on the hunt.
Red -Tailed Diva – This time it caught a bird. Goldfinch?

She flew from the top of a bird house to an area with short grasses and had a bird. I did not see her catch it. Not sure if she caught it in mid-air or what. Yes, different kinds of hawks will stalk bird feeders.

Red-Tailed Diva- She flew to a post with her catch faced the photographers and let us get a good view of her catch. This one is facing us.
Red Tailed Diva- Then she posed and gave us a side view.

Do any animals act like divas around you? This one seems to be a diva for camera clicks. Enjoy your weekend.

Red-Tailed Star 2

The short-eared owls do not always come up during good light. So what do you do? We can watch the accommodating Red-Tailed Hawk.

Red-Tailed Star 2 – landing on a post

This hawk stays close to where the photographers and other visitors are allowed to stand. She goes between a roof, chimney, posts, trees etc. She provides us all ample opportunities to see her. She even lands on the railing of the photography platforms while people are on it.

Red-Tailed Star 2 – with a vole

Sometimes she brings the voles she catches to a post to sit on and eat in full view.

Red-Tailed Star 2 – with a vole- close up

I walk this location in warmer months when all the trails are open. You can stop anywhere on the trails around this place and hear a vole moving around in the grass. I think all the owls and hawks do not have to worry about competition or their food supply.

Red-Tailed Star Two- Flying Up to a Post
Red-Tailed Star 2- Actively Hunting From a Post

Wildlife is fun to watch, especially when they are so accommodating. Have a great rest of your week.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show

To say this hawk is unusual is an understatement. Usually red-tailed hawks do not want to be around people. This one seems to crave attention. She can hunt anywhere on this big expanse of land. Instead she chooses to stick near the parking lot where people are.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show – She flew close to me.
The Red Tailed Star of the Show – I was hoping she would turn around with the vole, but this was the best shot I could get.

She gives people plenty of chances to see her landing on posts, landing on trees, landing on the ground near them, and flying very close to where people are standing.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show

In the above photo she landed on the section of trail that was closed right next to the barriers and sign. She was stomping the ground hunting for a vole.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show

In the above photo she is hunting from the outhouse ventilation.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show – Perching in her current favourite spot

When the short-eared owls arrived from the arctic to winter, they would try to knock her off posts. Now she is spending more time hanging out on this tree. This attracts the owls to the tree, but they seem unable to fly close enough to knock her off. On Christmas she kept eating a vole while ignoring the close fly bys. Below is one of the approaching short eared owls. They seem to take turns going after her.

The Red Tailed Star of the Show- an approaching short-eared owl getting ready to harrass the hawk

It is always a show when this particular red tailed hawk is nearby. She either gives us one or we get a double feature that includes the owls. I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday. Have a great weekend!

Educated Red-Tailed Hawk

I saw this hawk on the campus of a local university. The Merlin app only assigns the red tailed hawk to these images, so I will have to assume that is what it is.

Educated Red-Tailed Hawk

I was hoping to see this bird fly. Although it did look like it was actively hunting looking for mice etc. It did not move on from this spot while I was there.

Educated Red-Tailed Hawk

I was walking in an open area and on the return I heard the call of a red tailed hawk coming from the woods, so I am assuming it may have been this bird.

Educated Red-Tailed Hawk

I know a lot of schools in New York had off today for Veteran’s Day. I understand some in Connecticut may have had classes. I know of some veteran’s who were asked to go in and speak at one school. Since the numbers of people in this country who have actually served in the military are decreasing, maybe a day in school inviting in those who served would be a better use of time. If you served in the military, thank you for your service!

Hawk on Chimney

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?

Red Tailed Hawk on Sign

I don’t think this red tailed hawk was named by anyone, but I am going to call it Diva. Why? It has no problem being around people and will seemingly try to get the attention of the people taking wildlife pictures or with binoculars watching wildlife.

Maybe the hawk is trying to remind everyone to be on good behaviour. Only certain trails are open in winter due to the visitors from far up north.

If I had Google Translate set Hawk to English: This is a reminder. The area behind me is only for wildlife. Humans stay on the other side of the sign. Some wildlife sleep during the day on the ground.

Despite today being a very windy, frigid day it was great to see the hawk. I had to take numerous in the car breaks with the heat running. Frigid days can still be fruitful days.

Red Tailed Hawk

I am doing overtime from January- March at least. December showed me you cannot take your health for granted. I do not have much time to take photos. Many times on the weekends it has been cloudy before sunset. After work it is usually dark or close to it by the time I get home.

I only saw the red tailed hawk up close this time. The short eared owls only came up after 4 and stayed far away. It was a very overcast day and it was not long before sunset, so the light is not good and they are not sharp.

This one wanted to be the star. It landed on the pole close to the parking lot for a while. Then it flew right over me and landed on the refugee’s latrine chimney. Then it flew on top of a bird house. All the while it was close to people and did not seem to care.

Don’t take your health for granted. Get out and walk! Enjoy nature. Be around people who are positive.