Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

I believe this early-morning visitor to be a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). It could be a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) or some sub species.



Here facing the camera (sort of) with one talon up.




Preparing to take flight from fence to tree.

This specimen was about 1' tall and seemed content to annoy the crows, blue jays, and other birds that were cleaning up the mess raccoons had left behind over night.

It had an interesting, kind of gutteral call and was unafraid of me.

I don't really care for the hawks being so close what with all the feral cats and little dogs. . .but. . .the hawks were here first.