33 Comments
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Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

I know hawks need to eat and this is nature at work, and yet I am actually glad that the squirrel got away. Safe and alive for another day.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Agreed, Perry. I like to think that Nature itself provides for the hawk when and as needed. Sort of to restore balance to the whole if that makes sense.

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Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

I think the same way.

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James Freitas's avatar

Such beautiful light for these shots Neil!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks James! I was lucky with the Sun being at my back on that morning.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Thanks for letting us walk along with you in the crunchy blue snow. I've cross-country skied, but have never hiked with snowshoes. That looks fun!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Ann. Snowshoeing is such a good way to leave the trails without sinking too deep in the snow. One of my favourite Winter activities!

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Carole Roseland's avatar

Beautiful pictures and lovely sijo, Neil!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Carole and much appreciated!

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Joni B's avatar

Beautiful photo. The detail and design of those breast feathers! What a gorgeous bird! I'm in love.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Joni. You're right, this hawk and their breast feathers are really striking! Such a nice bird to see.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Beautiful post on all levels, Neil. The poetry really opens up to the incredible photos of the hawk. I really like this series that shows so much expression and detail in the hawk's markings. Thank you for taking us snowshoeing!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Heidi and much appreciated. It was a nice experience following this hawk from tree to tree for a few minutes before they flew off. I was really fortunate to see them glide down from a tree and land not too far from me. I will be posting more snowshoeing clips this Winter!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thanks Neil! I'll look forward to the snowshoe hikes. I might invest in a pair for the few times a year that they would be needed. It would be fun times in the park.

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Michael's avatar

Look forward to it

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Neil, These photos are wonderful. The facial expressions on the Cooper's are so inquisitive. I think he enjoys watching you as much as you enjoy watching him. I was treated to a couple of visits from my neighborhood Red-tailed today and then I saw a couple of Northern Harriers at the state park at the beach. A 3 hawk day for me.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Pamela. I was really fortunate with this encounter - luck and timing.

That sounds like an awesome experience. A 3-hawk day is definitely to be celebrated!

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Luck and timing is always key, and good lighting. I got a few photos of the Red-tailed today but the lighting was terrible and I didn't have my camera on my spur of the moment drive to the park.

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Elyse Cregar's avatar

Beautiful, so full of the vagaries of life

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thank you Elyse. This was a really memorable encounter with Nature.

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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

Just super wonderful

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Dr. Schwartz and much appreciated.

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Timber Fox's avatar

Beautiful. I saw two redtails yesterday on a hike. We watched them call to each other and perch. I think they were mates, one was much larger, so female.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Thomas. Redtails are a sight to see and that's awesome to see a pair.

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Nathaniel Bowler's avatar

What a beautiful bird, beautifully captured. Those teardrops on the chest/belly really stand out

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Nathaniel Bowler and their feathers really do standout. I was really fortunate with the timing on this encounter.

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Trish Keene's avatar

Our Cooper’s Hawks here in Southern California are definitely different in their chest feather pattern. Very beautiful photos of this lovely being. Very definite sound to snowshoes - I’ll know if you are near now.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Trish. That's interesting to know about the regional differences in Cooper’s Hawks. I'm still learning so much about them by observation. Snowshoeing is my go-to favourite Winter activity. :)

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Nancy Kong's avatar

Nice, I can put the crunching sound as background walking indoor imaging outdoor walking. Thank you for sharing the recording. ☺️ like that sound a lot. It’s truly meditating while walking in cold, Neil.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Nancy and much appreciated. That sound is really calming and one of my favourite Winter activities.

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Davor Katusic's avatar

Great pics👌

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks @Davor Katusic and much appreciated

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Davor Katusic's avatar

👍🥂

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