In the spring I often see a pair of Red-tailed Hawks hunting squirrels around my bird feeders. On March 3rd I looked out and saw the pair in the tree overlooking the feeder.
Whenever they arrived, the squirrels dove for cover. One bird would conspicuously fly away as if to show the squirrels it was safe to come out. The other remained behind, waiting for the squirrels to emerge. The first hawk then circled back after a few minutes.
I saw one dive at a squirrel and miss badly. Both hawks then flew away, so I went to make lunch. About 20 minutes later I glanced out the window and saw this:
I ran upstairs for my camera just in case. Sure enough, a squirrel had run up the baffle on the pole on which the bird feeders are mounted. It keeps the squirrels off the feeder, but provides a shelter for them to hide in temporarily when the hawks come by. The squirrel poked his head out and the hawk pounced.
He grabbed the squirrel’s tail and the pole itself, which kept him from pulling the squirrel out.
Stalemate. The hawk looks like he’s thinking, “Now what do I do?”
The squirrel’s tail slipped free.
You can see squirrel tail hair on the pole itself and a tuft of hair at the base of the pole. The hawk kicked off.
And flew away.
And the mate followed.
Thanks for looking!
Red Tail Near Miss
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Steve Barten
- Posts: 162
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:13 pm
- Location: NE Illinois
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
Holy cow, what a great series.
You ought to able to win some awards number 5 or 6. I would certainly find some photo contest somewhere.
Of course, some wildlife photo contests snobs don't like photos that show man made objects, but they need to get in touch with reality.
Outstanding photo series.
You ought to able to win some awards number 5 or 6. I would certainly find some photo contest somewhere.
Of course, some wildlife photo contests snobs don't like photos that show man made objects, but they need to get in touch with reality.
Outstanding photo series.
- Dell Despain
- Posts: 542
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:08 pm
- Location: Montana
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
That's an awesome documentation Steve. The photos are outstanding. Chris is probably right, you should win a photo contest w/ those shots and narrative.
Very interesting, and thanks for posting them.
-Dell
Very interesting, and thanks for posting them.
-Dell
- Steve Barten
- Posts: 162
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:13 pm
- Location: NE Illinois
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
Thanks for the compliments, Chrish and Dell.
If you like this kind of thing, I documented a successful hunt at the same feeder (with my old camera) on 2/12/11 and posted it here: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... ail#p52428
Steve B
If you like this kind of thing, I documented a successful hunt at the same feeder (with my old camera) on 2/12/11 and posted it here: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... ail#p52428
Steve B
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
THAT is f%ckin AWESOME!!
- Andy Avram
- Posts: 897
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:37 am
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
Yup, that is an awesome action series!
-
- Posts: 2248
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
Mind-blowingly wonderful.
- Crimson King
- Posts: 337
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:31 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
- Contact:
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
I have to agree with the others here. Awesome! Thanks for posting.
:Mark
:Mark
Re: Red Tail Near Miss
Wow Scott,
I think this is the coolest bird post I have ever seen here!
What a great photographic capture of a near-miss and a great record of the hunting red-tailed hawks will do in pairs!
Your photos are beautiful, crisp and exciting. Excellent work!
The expression on the face of the hawk hanging upside down is priceless.
WOW....
I think this is the coolest bird post I have ever seen here!
What a great photographic capture of a near-miss and a great record of the hunting red-tailed hawks will do in pairs!
Your photos are beautiful, crisp and exciting. Excellent work!
The expression on the face of the hawk hanging upside down is priceless.
WOW....