I could show you another eclectic collection of things, but I think I'll show you just one slightly out-of-focus picture. I'm so pleased to have caught it at all, that I have to share.
Do you know what it is? Yes, it's a hawk, but which one? Before I tell (of course, you may know), let me tell you some history.
This hawk used to have a different name. I grew up calling it the Marsh Hawk. Somewhere along the line someone decided it should have a more sophisticated name. Taxonomists change names regularly, but they do it for organizational reasons. Common names should just "happen," not be dictated.
Anyway, I saw this hawk a couple of days ago too. I was excited, because it's one of my favorite hawks. Why? Who knows? I saw a lot of them as a child, including one that had flown into a fence and died. Sometimes the sad end of a creature is a great learning opportunity. Actually, I was very callous about death as a child. Animals died in the road all the time. Dad hunted and most of our table meat was dressed in the back yard. It was a farm community. Death was always near at hand. I think the dead Marsh Hawk was the first large bird that I got to examine closely, and I was fascinated.
On Monday, I saw this bird flying low across the field next door. It's smaller than the red-tailed hawk, and behaves differently, so I knew it wasn't my usual hawk friend. It raised its wings and settled into a bush. Out of sight. No chance for a picture. I tried to follow it, but Maggie ranged ahead of me, and scared it off before I could even aim the camera.
I think it had been hunting. It eats small mammals and birds.
This morning, right overhead, three small birds were chasing the hawk. That's pretty common behavior. I got the camera turned on and pointed as fast as I could, but only managed to catch most of the hawk, and not even in focus. Maybe I'll get another chance.
We are now supposed to call this a Northern Harrier. It's Circus hudsonius . The long tail with three stripes, and rounded wings show well in this picture. Some other features, not so well. I think this is a female. I hope it's nesting in my kingdom!
 | See Red-Tailed Hawk, It Is! |
There is a nesting pair in my neck of the woods. I'm waiting for chiclets, they're beautiful, I love the banded feathers. They fly low tracing the hills where I hike. Thnx for the shot!
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about hawks but I love watching them. It wasn't until maybe a couple years ago that I started noticing a lot of them in our area.
ReplyDeleteFor a blurry photo, it's still a good catch! It's very hard to get one in focus while flying. I still call them marsh hawks, and get to see them several times as I wait for ducks at the marsh in the fall. Fun to watch them!
ReplyDeleteI always find the Hawks wonderful to watch my favourite is the Kestrel.
ReplyDeletegallerydarrow- I don't know your name. Sorry- thanks for the comment. Your blog is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnn- they have really been making a comeback
Casey- nice to know that someone else likes them too.
Carol- the kestrel is special- very special. We see them only occasionally.
Rochelle! Sorry again. If I had waited till your blog finished loading I would have seen your name. Now I'll know.
ReplyDeleteI watched one of these trying to soar in Sunday afternoon's strong wind. He turned left so he was headed into the wind. It was a complete, nearly instantaneous stall. Quicker than a hear beat he continued the turn through 270 degrees so that he was building airspeed again. It was really neat to see this happen.
ReplyDelete