Well actually, a maple leaf or two, but they did obscure this Red-shouldered Hawk’s belly. I spotted him because of the contrast in color.
He was looking all around as another RSH was calling across the swamp. He was pretty content in his semi-enclosed spot.
And it is precisely the contrast between the hawk and the tree’s leaves that highlights the image, along with a little splash of light on its chest.
These are wonderful portaits, Ellen! The colours of the hawk’s plumage is so beautiful.
Thanks, Peter, glad that you liked them. They do have an intricate pattern and amazing variation the intensity of coloration among individual birds.