Tag Archives: Red-shouldered Hawk

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawks

2 Comments

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were hanging around near one of the ponds at Magnolia Plantation yesterday providing me another great opportunity for my first time using the OM System camera.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

With fewer leaves on the trees and this one calling out I was able to spot him after he landed right above me.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Never posing together, they took turns on the dead tree and zooming in and out of the woods, seeming to enjoy the warm afternoon rather than hunting.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 17, 2025

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk On Palm Stump

1 Comment

The healthy palm tree behind the stump of a dead one made a nice backdrop for this Red-shouldered Hawk.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

If he had landed in the live one I never would have spotted him.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

The hawk did a delicate pirouette to change his position.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Then stopped for a nice frontal pose.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Then he flew into a nearby tree  where he was totally focused on his view of the ground.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk, New Perch

2 Comments

Well, probably not new for the hawk. We frequently see one or both of the local pair of Red-shouldered Hawks in the upper levels of this gnarly tree surveying their territory.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

They probably don’t think about their landing spots as much as I do–where ever food can be seen will work.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

He spotted something…

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

and was off.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 2, 2025

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawks, End of Day

5 Comments

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.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

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.

Red-shouldered Hawk Landing
Red-shouldered Hawk Landing

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

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

Then they rearranged themselves.

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

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

Red-shouldered Hawk In Flight
Red-shouldered Hawk In Flight

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.

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree
Red-shouldered Hawk Pair in Tree

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

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk On A Bench

2 Comments

I was wandering Middleton Place with my Canon 100mm macro lens in search of Camellia blooms when this Red-shouldered Hawk flew past me at ground level.

Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench
Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench

He followed the path then perched on a garden bench, obviously aware I was there.

Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench
Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench

There were some squirrels rustling around in the dried leaves that I thought for sure were going to be lunch.

Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench
Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench

I edged a bit closer while he looked around.

Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench
Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench

Evidently squirrel wasn’t what he wanted and off he went.

Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench
Red-shouldered Hawk on Bench

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
December 19, 2024

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk on Palm

1 Comment

This was a day for raptors, including this Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a weather-beaten palm tree.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

He sat still when I got out of the car…

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

But took off when another vehicle passed. He did not fly in the direction I was ready for, coming much closer than I anticipated. The composition of this image is not at all pleasing but I loved the color pattern on his outstretched wing.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Bio Lab Road, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023