Red Tailed Hawk

A Red Tailed Hawk perching in a dead tree on the mountain side.  This seems to be a favorite spot for hawks to survey the area; I've been photographing various hawks in this spot for over forty years.  

This one flew away in a rush, intent on dinner I suppose.  I never stay to see that part, even though I wish them good hunting...I know everything has to eat, but I don't have the heart to watch or photograph the kill.

Linking with Saturday's Critters 

I See You

A young Red Tailed Hawk at the top of a pine tree.

She (or he) was staring intently at something down in the valley.  It was pretty windy, as you can tell by her feathers on her chest.  She kept a wary eye on me, though, which is good.  I always hope they can tell in a nano-second whether it's a camera or a gun pointed at them.  They're protected by Federal Law, but there are always idiots...

I took a lot of photos, but these are the only three that aren't too blurry.  She was about 500 feet away from me.  I've given up on using a tripod for photographing birds; by the time I get the darn thing set up, they're gone!  So, it's hand-held, zoom, and hope for the best...

Linking with  Skywatch Friday
                    Saturday's Critters

Skywatch Friday

Sitting on the top of a 200 foot Ponderosa Pine on a windy and cold January day in the San Bernardino mountains, 

this Red Tailed Hawk was carefully watching the land below. 

These photos aren't the best, 

But I was pretty far away, and I didn't use a tripod.  I guess I'm always too afraid the bird is going to fly away before I can take a photo.

This is where the photos were taken from and the red dot marks the tree she was sitting in.

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A Quotation for Monday

"I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief...for a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free."  Wendell Barry

A red-tailed hawk with a brave little scrub jay voicing its opinion to the hawk.  I am happy to say that the scrub jay got safely away...

I See You

This Red Tailed Hawk is letting me know that he (or she...who can tell?) sees me.

I think it might actually be posing! "OK, left profile."

"Now, right profile. Am I not a gorgeous bird?"

Well yes you are, but I think you might also be the reason I haven't seen very many birds at my feeders lately.