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Thursday, February 24, 2022

Red shouldered raptor

Feeder birds attract their most-feared predators. When a hawk is sighted, small birds scatter and hide motionless amid the foliage of the evergreen shrubs and trees. Perhaps the first bird to spot the enemy utters an alarm call, but all seem to flee at once.  From my window there is a limited view of the sky and this behavior may also be triggered by overhead predators. Perhaps some of these scatterings for cover are in response to false alarms.

So far I have only seen a single Cooper's Hawk, which specializes in hunting birds, alight briefly nearby. It immediately flew off. There was no time for me to capture a photo of the Cooper's Hawk, but a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks has been very vocal. They are courting, signaling the beginning of breeding season. Although their prey may include birds, they more commonly eat reptiles, insects and small rodents. 

During winter when frogs and snakes are not available, the diet of Red-shouldered Hawks may include more birds, especially doves, starlings and sparrows congregated at feeders. So far I have not seen them near our feeders, but their presence above does cause the birds great anxiety.

One sunny afternoon I captured multiple photos of a member of this pair as it called out to its unseen companion:

The bright sky accented its rich coloration:


The Snow Moon was high in the blue sky: 

Bluebirds have been singing in the adjacent hardwoods. Aside for one which perched above a feeder, they have not visited to sample the fruit in the platform feeder:

Male Eastern Bluebird:


The female's plumage is more subdued:


A White-breasted Nuthatch rested briefly on the granite ledge..

...and then flew up to pluck a sunflower seed:

Also at the feeder were a  Tufted Titmouse and female House Finch:

Thius past week my Son-in-Law and I put up two bluebird houses. They were visited by a pair of bluebirds the very next morning, but so far there is no sign that either or both have been claimed.

I obtaiined a poor photo of the male, through the window. He was resting in a tree next to one of the houses:

Milder weather permitted us to visit Longo Farm, a local preserve. We climbed hills, an unfamiliar experience after living in Florida, but saw few birds:

 

Our granddaughter captured this nice view of sunset from the upstairs patio as the last rays of sunlight reflected off the clouds:


This morning, she alerted me to the view through the dining room window:

My view of sunrise through the window pane. Note that the leaves of the Rhododendron, after seeming to come to life in yesterday's sunny warmth, once again folded into dormancy overnight in the sub-freezing temperature:  

Just after I posted this, another  photo opportunity allowed me to capture my first image of a bluebird investigating one of the nest boxes:




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Linking to:



Skywatch Friday

Weekend Reflections

Saturday's Critters

BirdD'Pot

All Seasons

Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)

Natasha Musing

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Please visit the links to all these posts to see some excellent photos on display
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15 comments:

  1. Those photos of the hawk are excellent. It's wonderful to see the detail.

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  2. Great photos of the birds. I think we have a family of Cooper's Hawks nearby they come swooping in every once in a while and the birds scram.
    I love your blue birds.

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  3. I don't think I'vw seen the red shoulered hawk but it is gorgous. I love all the details in the feathers.

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  4. Stunning photos of the hawk! My wife used to put out bird seed in a feeder in the back yard, but it got to the point where at least weekly we would see a hawk swoop in and pick off a bird.

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  5. Cooper hawk is stunning, and also your new header - any reminder of the sun in Florida, eh? Or,have you already adjusted to your new climate? Have a great weekend! Emille

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  6. Your photos, as always, are outstanding! Especially the hawk. Love the Bluebird shots too. It looks like you're having an early spring down there.

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  7. Looking at your photos is like flipping through nature magazines. They so good.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  8. What fantastic scenes of the bluebird and the lighting through the window glass into the room is glorious!

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  9. That sunrise shot is fabulous! Like gold shining in the window!

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  10. You are still managing to capture outstanding bird shots in your new location, Kenneth. The sunrise shots were stunning and kudos to your granddaughter for the photo alert!

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  11. From the stunning "skyscapes" to the feeder birds to the magnificent Red-shouldered Hawks - a thoroughly enjoyable post, Ken!

    All the best from down south.

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  12. How beautiful is the early morning! And your birds are wonderful, as usual.

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  13. Hello Ken,
    Great captures of the Hawk and I love the Bluebird. Lovely skies and landscapes.
    Beautiful collection of photos. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great weekend!

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  14. Your photos never disappoint!

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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