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.
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.
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.
Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 13, 2023
The Red-shouldered Hawk from yesterday’s post flew a few feet away and fluffed himself up.
The sun was in and out, changing the look of the scene.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
February 27, 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.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
February 27, 2023
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.
The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.
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.
That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.
The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022
Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.
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.
The hawk opted to move on.
He didn’t go far, maybe just needed his own space.
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
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks made their nest in a tree that hangs over the exit road at Magnolia Plantation.
With hundreds of treed acres available to them this seems like an odd choice with cars and pedestrians passing all day long.
That’s a frog leg sticking up by the hawk’s feet, soon to be breakfast for the chicks.
The chicks were ready for their next meal.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 29, 2022
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.
February 11, 2022
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.
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.
October 19, 2021
