Cooper's Hawks: "Family Preparations"
Are we ready for a family?
(Cooper’s Hawks - photo by Neil Barker - March 29, 2024)
Perched high in the Pines, a family plans and prepares in Spring.
Days grow longer, warmer, and the family will be ready.
Ready to bring forth new lives and to continue Nature’s dance.
I took these photos on March 29, 2024. I heard a Cooper’s Hawk making a cak-cak-cak call high up some trees while on my hike. I did not see them initially until the mature adult on the right glided from a nearby tree and landed on this limb next to their mate.
I think these are the same mated pair I have seen the past month. This is in the same small area of woods.
The local crows and these hawks appear to have reached an understanding about range now. Five crows were following me for part of my hike but as I approached this particular area the crows disappeared and did not follow. Thinking back to my hike, perhaps the crows have ceded this area to this pair of Cooper’s Hawks.
My previous posts on Cooper’s Hawks in this small woods:
Outstanding post, Neil. The images of the female Cooper’s hawk are incredible, with the light on her face. You can really see the look and the soul of her shining through her eyes. I noticed a pair of Cooper’s hawks circling over my neighborhood the other day and few Crows were getting a little riled up, but left them alone.
Great sijo and essay, Neil! It is interesting to follow your larger Cooper’s Hawk story arc as you keep returning to them. It is amiable that the crows and the hawks seem to have reached an understanding. Thanks for writing.