This Cooper’s Hawk is looking for a meal!
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
February 18, 2016 10:01am CST
A friend and neighbor sent me a great photo of a hawk at their place a block or two away. A few minutes after I looked at it, we were at the kitchen having lunch. I glanced out the window and there was this good-sized Cooper’s Hawk, sitting on the pole where my bird feeders hang. There is no doubt that he was hoping for a song bird meal. I got this photo just before he flew.
Nature is not always kind. I have witnessed hawks taking birds right off my feeders and it is not pleasant. I console myself with the fact that this is nature’s way. That hawk has to live too to preserve his magnificent species. If he did not find a bird in my yard, he would grab one elsewhere.
His species is among those called raptors, and their eyesight is incredible. There are many species of hawks and owls around here, Bald Eagles as well.
Have you seen many hawks or eagles where you live?
17 people like this
18 responses
@LadyDuck (502343)
• Italy
18 Feb 16
I have been attacked by a hawk a couple of years ago, because I rushed outside to save the little bird she wanted to grab from my feeder. I was scared, but I arrived to reach the entry door and to escape, also my little bird was safe. This photo is beautiful.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Feb 16
Thanks, Anna! Glad you saved that bird.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502343)
• Italy
18 Feb 16
@divalounger I did not want that she kills one of my little friends.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Feb 16
He really does! They have such a fierce and imperious look!
2 people like this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
18 Feb 16
What a beauty James! I live in the suburbs, but have a hawk who returns yearly in the spring--I always look forward to seeing it!
2 people like this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
18 Feb 16
Great photo. I see hawks in my area every once in a while. Often they are sitting on poles or noise barriers above a highway. I'm not sure if those are favorite hunting places, or if it's just that I only see the ones that can be seen from the road.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Feb 16
They like to sit on a high vantage point and look for rodents in fields and along the road, then swoop down and grab them.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
19 Feb 16
We have what we call kites. They do watch for little birds. Yes. I agree with you. They too have to survive and they are doing the right thing. Poor things. They have to fend for themselves
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Feb 16
We have kites here as well in some parts of the country.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40845)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Feb 16
You are so right that nature is not always kind. We have a lot of wildlife around us. One time I went outside and my car was covered in blood, feathers and rabbit fur. Apparently, an owl had killed a rabbit and ate it on the hood of my car. It was so gross. I went straight to the car wash and even they couldn't believe it when they saw my car!! It looked like I had killed someone!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Feb 16
That southern California mystery killer is still at it! (Lol)
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
19 Feb 16
Yes, I live in the hills of South Orange County, CA. We have lots of small wildlife, mostly rabbits and birds. I love watching the hawks soar.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
19 Feb 16
I posted a photo of a red tailed hawk that was sitting in my pine tree last month. Beautiful bird. For the past year or so a bald eagle has nested in a tree along the river I live next to. I hope to get a good shot of him this spring.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Feb 16
@JamesHxstatic I will definitely post it if I get it.
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Feb 16
Nice pic. We have the World Birds of Prey Foundation here. We drive to the eastern part of the city and can occasionally see bald eagles in the trees. My favorite bird of prey is the Red Tailed Hawk. I have included a picture of a juvenile. Not mine. Flickr.com
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
19 Apr 16
brilliant! what a great photo! i've not had the good fortune'f gettin' a close 'nough pic'f the hawks here, though i did get one juvenile last year by the pond. there's several who nest 'round these parts. i'd elm trees out back'n the pasture they used to raise their young'uns'n. sadly those got hit with the 'dutch elm disease' 'n perished. i was most delighted the other day to see that they've taken'p residence 't the neighbors down the road.
