Cooper’s Hawk
It was a cold, wet morning in Albuquerque.
This Cooper’s Hawk has been a regular visitor since August. It usually moves around a lot, often flying in for a meal and leaving when it is finished eating.
It was hunkered down like this when I first saw it on this day, and it stayed for about three hours. (It must have had its breakfast before settling down in that tree).
Other than keeping a watchful eye on me when I was photographing it, it did not appear disturbed by my presence.
Nice photo! Was it later in the morning? I assume you had snow in the early morning, since we had about a 1/4 of snow before it warmed up to rain later in the morning.
This was right at noon. We did have snow this morning. I saw this hawk in that spot when I left to go to the gym and then shopping. It was there when I got back. I was home for a bit before I photographed it. I left a little before 12:30 to run an errand, and when I got home at 2:30 it was no longer there. I am used to seeing it in the back yard. This tells me I need to look in the front also. 🙂 )))))))))
In a larger image, you can see rain-almost-ice drops on the hawk’s feathers.
That explains no snow, and also shows how glooming it was most of the day. It’s good to get the moisture, however.
I was happy for the moisture. We had a lot of *dense fog* earlier in the morning, very unusual for here. I agree, it was a gloomy day! But any day my hawk visits (especially for so long!) is a good day. 😉
Nice shot, Iv’e noticed that when I’m in town (Russellville, population ~25,000) birds are much less fearful of humans. It makes sense I guess but out at my house in the woods they are much more easily spooked.
Hi, Bob, Thanks.
I am relatively certain this hawk is the one that I photographed in August, putting on a display in my back yard. It could be a different hawk, but we seem to have a sort of “understanding” between us. 🙂 )))))))
The part of Albuquerque in which I live has recently been said to contain the greatest concentration of Cooper’s hawks of any place they are found, including in the wild. It is just a limited area of Albuquerque, what is known as the “Northeast Heights,” with its “urban forest” and lots of humans who put out bird feeders, AKA restaurants for the hawks. 😉
So, as you note, the hawks around here are quite used to humans and have decided to settle among us.
Very nice to see you today!
I like the way the branches frame the hawk and add lots of interest in a very natural setting. The background light also brings dramatic attention to the subject. Beautiful hawk!
Hi, Juanita! Thank you for coming by today. I have become quite fond of this hawk. I was glad it posed the way it did, and I thank you for appreciating that!
Merry Christmas to you and your entire family, if I don’t see you before then!