A Red-shouldered Hawk watched the sun come up  into a cloudless sky on a recent crisp morning.

Red-shouldered Hawks around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are pretty tolerant of people passing by.

With human foot traffic mostly limited to paths due to the various ponds and swamps the raptors have a lot of space that is just theirs.

This one took off over a swamp with a “I’m traveling” flap of his wings, not “I’m going for prey” dive giving me a nice level view.

The best thing about winter is leaf-less limbs, that often can be in the image without obscuring a passing bird.

Well actually, a maple leaf or two, but they did obscure this Red-shouldered Hawk’s belly. I spotted him because of the contrast in color.

He was looking all around as another RSH was calling across the swamp. He was pretty content in his semi-enclosed spot.

Part  of the swamp I visit is dotted with dead trees, victims of time and probably changing water levels.

Red-shouldered Hawks are among the birds that find them to be good perches with little to obstruct their view.

This fellow was hunting for lunch in the water below.

January 22, 2020

Red-shouldered balancing act.

Made it!