I had been watching this Red-shouldered Hawk as he watched a low marshy area from a nearby branch. When he spotted lunch it was just a matter of seconds from branch to capture.

I was fortunate that he landed in a sunny spot several feet below where I stood giving me a good view.

He held his prey with both feet. When I developed the images I could see that lunch was a frog.

He ate little bits at a time, tearing pieces off with his beak. He changed directions several times with little hops. I could hear several other Red-shouldered Hawks not too far off and there was a small flock of Ibis about 10 feet away.

I doubt the Ibis would challenge a Hawk for a meal, but I’m sure other raptors would. After eating part of the frog the hawk re-arranged himself and his grip.

A minute later he flew up into a nearby more protected tree, then flew down the pond to a higher vantage point.

Click on any image for larger view.