My eyes left the lens for an instant to see where he was headed and to my surprise he landed on a limb even closer to me. I have seen him do this several times now, see movement, land on a perch closer, then strike. He paused on this limb long enough for me to snap a few shots before flipping around and landing on the ground even closer.
Once on the ground he immediately began to hop among the leaves, pausing only once to listen to the camera click.
Within seconds his attention returned to movement and I had the joy of watching him hop, spin, and flip leaves with his talons to uncover what was stirring beneath. Below you can see a little bit of the action. I've included the blurred shot to give you an idea of how he used his wings for balance. 
In the end, he abandoned the hunt and left to find a meal elsewhere while the female stayed close by. The activities here and in the previous four entries ocurred on March 7th. The pair is now incubating. The eggs generally hatch in 33 days, giving us an estimated hatch date of April 15th.
This is the seventh post in a series on this pair of red-shouldered hawks. To see the entire series click here. More photos, sketches and stories about my visits with this family coming up.
How wonderful that the pair felt comfortable with you in their midst. I'm enthralled by this hawk series with so many surprises. I love the picture where Mr. Hawk pauses on the ground to "listen to the camera click." He looks curious.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the rich, deep color of those hawks.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through BirdFreak Photography Weekly - Oh My! You have beautiful photos of the Red-shouldered Hawks. We have been fortunate enough to have a second year of the Red-shouldered Hawks nesting on our property, and it's been SO exciting watching them. I can't get enough of them, and in fact I hear them now, kaw kaw kaw'ing (which is my calling to go see what they're up to!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots you have! I'm going to enjoy more of your blog (when I get back from seeing what the hawks are doing :)
Hi, Diane. I think we are mutually checking each other out. I'm very mindful to respect their space. But when they come to me, I sometimes hold my breath, wondering how this can be happening!
ReplyDeleteI agree,Lynne. The more I see them, the more I appreciate their beauty and incredible hunting skills.
Welcome, Jay. You have a beautiful blog and habitat in NC. I look forward to seeing what you post about your resident hawks. I learn something new each time I visit them.
Hi Vickie: fantastic series wit the howks!!!!
ReplyDeleteregards from Andalucia
www.surfbirds.com/blog/andalucianature
Theo
What a lot of excitement in your patch. Great photos Vickie.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! The second one is especially nice.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying this series. I know I said that once before, but it's very interesting. I love the combination of art, writing, and photography! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous captures Vickie! Thank you for bringing this series to us. I have been missing my pair of Red-shoulders from last season. It was so touching to see the male bringing food to the nest to tenderly feed the female while she was incubating the eggs.
ReplyDeleteThen watching the chicks growing by leaps and bounds later on and testing their wings to fledge. The entire story unfolded last summer to my great delight and constant amazement.
I can see you are hooked, just as I was and I love getting your reports.