Tag Archives: Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk Looking For A Meal

I noticed this well camouflaged Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tangle of crepe myrtle branches. Then I realized it was the flitting of the Mocking Bird that had caught my eye.

Red-shouldered Hawk and Mocking Bird
Red-shouldered Hawk and Mocking Bird

The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

It was late afternoon and I thought maybe the hawk wasn’t in feeding mode, but then he dropped to the ground. He immediately mantled over some prey, covering it from other potential predators.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022

Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.

Osprey

I finally spotted the Osprey that had been calling, plaintively, for several minutes. By the time I raised my camera he had ducked down. The nest alone made an artsy silhouette on this grey day.

Osprey Nest
Osprey Nest – Canon 18-200mm

The Osprey is probably a juvenile, calling for a parent and hoping to get fed from the sound. An hour or so later he flew some laps around the area, and paused in this tree.

Osprey
Osprey – Tamron 180mm Macro

Then the sun came out and I saw the nest from a different angle, well placed in swamp.

Swamp, Cypress Gardens
Swamp, Cypress Gardens

August 26, 2022
Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC

Sunspot On Barred Owl

Dappled sunlight was reaching the tree where this Barred Owl was perched.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

Alas, only his tail was to be lit up.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

After a bit he dove down and gave the appearance of clutching prey under water.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

But, he came up with nothing and chose a different perch to continue his hunt.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2022

Red-shouldered Hawk, First Light

The Red-shouldered Hawk that was sharing a snag with the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks blended right into the branch when he turned away from me.

Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

The hawk opted to move on.

Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

He didn’t go far, maybe just needed his own space.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

These snags stand in one of the wetland cells created as part of the city’s water reclamation process.

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022