Red-tailed Hawk

Look closely on the right side of the power poles and you'll see a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).  I was snapping photos of all the jetliners passing overhead and happened to notice the hawk, sitting motionless, in the frame.  I'm fascinated by the paths the jets take. . . compensating for their destination. . . this one likely departed Miami (or somewhere further south) on its way to Atlanta.

Using a 300 mm (11-inch) lens I zoomed in a bit closer on the hawk. . . which was probably 1/2 mile (.80 km)  from my position and at least 60-feet (18 m) off the ground on its perch atop the power poles.

Above:  A close-up using a 1300 mm lens (51 inch) enhanced and colorized -- of the Red-tailed Hawk.  This is a species of bird of prey living throughout North America.  Typically these birds measure 18 to 26 inches (45 - 65 cm) and weigh up to 3½ pounds (1600 grams).  This particular bird appears well-fed.

Above:  This is another Red-tailed hawk, somewhat scrawnier, that is inhabiting our woods at the lake house.  There is very little lake remaining due to the ongoing drought. . . but the hawk is an excellent hunter in the grassy marsh that remains of the lakes.  More than once he has almost smacked me in the face with large snakes that he grabs in the grassland where the lake once was.

He grasps his prey in his talons -- still alive -- and flies toward his nest in our woods. . . dangling the struggling snake below.  It always causes me to cringe and jump when I see a snake flying toward me at 30+ mph.

Red-tailed hawks are legally protected in Canada, Mexico, and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.  The statute makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell listed birds.  The statute does not discriminate between live or dead birds and also grants full protection to any bird parts including feathers, eggs, and nests.