Red-tailed Hawk: "New Year Hunting"

Psst, hey - seen any rabbits or rodents around here?

(Red-tailed Hawk - January 2022)

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A snow covered field is your hunting ground as you search for food.

You’re blending in with the surroundings and having watchful eyes.

Now you wait and watch for slight movement and opportunities.

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All credit to my wife for taking these photos in early January 2022. We had been out driving west of Ottawa in a rural area when I spotted a Red-tailed Hawk perched on this fence post. I was driving and pulled over and asked my wife to take a few photos with my camera.

We were fortunate to spend a few moments with this Red-tailed Hawk as it sat on the post and surveyed the field for prey. I’m always impressed by their size as I don’t see them very often. I tend to forget how large they can be as adults.

After a few minutes had passed, the Red-tailed Hawk flew off towards the treeline at the edge of the field. This sent a few local American Crows into a frenzy and they gave chase. I can count on Crows for letting me (and everything else nearby) know when there is a predator animal around.

I like this photo my wife took as it shows their namesake red tail feathers.

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