A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks caught my ear as I was about to head back to my car at the end of the afternoon. Then I spotted them, swooping, then landing at the top of this tree. It looks like there could be some nest material there, although it would be early for them.

I moved along as the tree was never going to allow a good angle and at a half hour before sundown I didn’t expect any more movement.

I was wrong. The pair came together in a nearby tree with a better vantage point for me.

Then they rearranged themselves.

Then rearranged themselves again, with one of them flying in a big circle before picking its spot.

That was the end of the photo shoot; even with no leaves on the tree there wasn’t going to be a nice side-by-side portrait.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 7, 2025