The Red-shouldered Hawk on the upper branch from my previous post flew down the pond as we watched but the lower one stayed put. I moved down the path to get him lined up with a very seasonal looking background.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
The Red-shouldered Hawks have become very active around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It’s hard to say how many, but I have spotted them hunting in multiple locations around the property.
This one was above the pond where the White Ibis Feeding, constantly watching for something to move.
Red-shouldered Hawk
While I was watching the first bird, Ted and I realized were photographing different hawks. I zoomed out to 100mm, the minimum on my zoom lens to get them together, if not in great focus.
Red-shouldered Hawks
Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
These shots of a Red-shouldered Hawk are lined up through some dangling Spanish Moss and newly leafed tree branches, which gave the bird’s feet a bit of a green glow.
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
The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.
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
That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.
Red-shouldered Hawk
The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022
Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.
I was out with my shorter lens when this Red-shouldered Hawk flew into a tree ahead of me in a local park. Like me, he had places to go and quickly moved on.
I spotted this hawk while I was walking around the barnyard at Middleton Place. He was looking down at me, not much concerned by my presence.
Hawk in Sweetgum Tree
I think this is a Red-shouldered Hawk, probably immature. I moved along and a few minutes later I was alerted that he did, too, as the pigeons that perch on the barn roof took to the air in a frenzy.