I spotted this magnificent Red-shouldered hawk yesterday sitting on a tree branch in the summer rain. We have a few that live in this area, but it’s difficult to tell whether or not you’re seeing the same one. The coloring on their feathers helps them blend flawlessly into the foliage, and if you’re lucky enough to see one, it’s rare to notice any unique features that distinguish it from another.
Usually it’s the size of the bird that stands out the most, we do have some considerably larger females that frequent this area. They’re easier to see through the forest than the males and tend to be hunting small rodents or snake which we have plenty of here. Watching these incredible creatures soar through the air and swooping down to the forest floor is such a treat and I feel very lucky to have been able to capture a few Red-shouldered hawk close-ups on camera over the last few years.
