Hawks in the country
Red-shouldered Hawks are not noted for frequenting citified areas. You may find them perched, like this one, on tall utility poles out along the country roads near open fields.
Why? In most cases because in the country there are field mice and other rodents near the poles but there are no ‘highway mice’ to be had by freeways. In this case the Hawk was calling to his mate. Red tailed Hawk calling Who shortly appeared in answer.
Hawks on a Freeway
You don’t expect to find Hawks along major freeways in built up areas. Imagine my surprise to find a pair hunting from the utility lines along a six-lane freeway, right in front of a motel situated on the frontage road, just across the bridge from where I live. But there they were, so off I went to get my camera and return. I didn’t stop to wonder why.
Later I thought about it. It was January when the tides are the highest and the rising water had driven the voles and field mice to higher ground. A small lagoon close by the freeway had pushed out of its normal banks and the resident critters along with it. Just right for the Hawks who were passing through the area.
While they were wary of me they did let me close enough to get several nice shots.
For several days the pair hunted from the power lines until high tide of the month was past, the water had pulled back and the temporary food supply had largely been consumed. Then the pair moved on. I heard reports of them being sighted about a mile away but was unable to find them when I checked. Fortunately, they stayed long enough for me to get t some of the best Hawk photos I have taken. Here are a few.
Watching a movement in the grass.
And off again!
I’m looking hopefully towards next January, the hunting was good enough this year to make me suspect they will return. If they do, I’ll be ready.
Your comments & questions much appreciated
Print Friendly
Beautiful series. Thanks. Red Shouldered Hawks are fairly common here in San Diego county. Unlike our Red Tailed Hawks, they usually don’t soar a lot. Instead they prefer to perch on a high place until they see a potential meal, and then swooping down for the kill.
What kind of camera/lens did you use? I just got my first DSLR three months ago, a Nikon D5100 and am like a kid in a candy store shooting pictures of birds. The sharpness of your action shots are amazing.
David, thanks for you comments.
I think you might want to check pour my post on Hand holding a Longs lens. I think it will answer some of your questions.
Richard
Some beautiful shots of the Hawks. My first time to view them.
I’m surprised that hawks are considered unusual above freeways. I drive into the City from Marin every day and have often seen hawks soaring above 101. At least I think they’re hawks. I’m not a birder but will try to look this up based on the shape of the bird.
BTW, there is a nice flock of pelicans that fly around the Golden Gate Bridge during evening drive time.
Evidently I didn’t make myself clear. I was saying that you don’t usually find Hawks hunting along the freeways. By that I meant perching on poles or powerlines wile searching for food. Yes, they sometimes circle overhead above freeways, especially out in open areas, but they rarely sit on poles. Around here most of the birds circling are Turkey Vultures and sometime Crows or Ravens. They are usually easy to tell as they are black. The TV’s of course, have silver under wings.
Good to hear about the Pelicans, I will have to check that out.
Thanks,
Richard