Red-Shouldered HawkJune 14, 2009
 


Honestly, I thought I had already uploaded photos of the red-shouldered hawk.

Last March, a red-shouldered hawk took residence close to our feeders, to the dismay of squirrels and other critters. I should add to my embarrassment too, since the one time the hawk was perched contentedly, I chose the wrong lens; a shorter telephoto would have done better (since I was too close to fit the hawk completely in the picture frame).
 

Red-shouldered hawk
 
  A red-shouldered hawk is a buteo (or a stocky hawk) like a red-tailed hawk but not quite as robust.

The red shoulder has quite an attractive color pattern, in addition to red shoulders.
 

Composite of three red-shouldered hawk flight photos
 
  Here, in Pennsylvania, the red shoulder has a dwindling population. And this particular one did not return in 2009. Perhaps next year?

Photo note: I used a Pentax *ist D, with the SMC 1000mm reflex lens (handheld), for these photos, taken in March 2008.



My Pennsylvania bird list

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