Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Visit from a hawk

Red-tailed hawk photo compliments of Nature Photography by Bob Moul
Yesterday afternoon I went out our back door onto our screened porch. On top of our camper about 20 feet away perched a hawk. I stood motionless, hoping not to startle the avian visitor. It looked about 2 feet tall from head to the tip of its tail and sported white feathers on its legs that looked like fluffy pajamas.

I tapped lightly on a window to alert husband Walter. Before Walter could round up his camera, the raptor launched off the camper. For a heart-stopping moment--my heart, not the bird’s--it flew straight toward me then veered upward and over our roof. That wingspan looked huge close up. According to my field guide the red-tailed hawk wingspan is around 48 inches. 


My bird book and several Web sites I visited described the species as well known and common. But it is not common in my backyard. It was a memorable moment in our backyard birding. The gorgeous image captured by Bob Moul is the best I found of the white feathers that were so striking on “our” hawk’s legs.

I will be visiting Bob’s site, Nature Photography by Bob Moul, more often. His galleries include a wide spectrum of dazzling photos of things wild and wonderful. I especially appreciate that he includes common name, scientific name, where the photo was taken and, usually, habitat information. Thanks, Bob, for the use of your photo!

3 comments:

  1. That must have been wonderful to see so closely. Nature in your own backyard.

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  2. Hawks are plentiful in our area. Back in the day--I've seen them swoop down and carry off our live baby chicks before we knew what was happening. Several years ago, we had a bald eagle "stealing" our small cats. Both birds are huge!

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  3. Sounds like that hawk was aiming for you!

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