January 4

Red-tailed Hawk. The red tail is very evident in this photo. The Red-tailed and the Cooper’s Hawk are winter residents. The Red-tailed preys from the air while the Cooper’s prowls through the thickets. The smaller Cooper’s Hawk is more tolerant of my presence but the Red-tailed will move on if I get even 200 yards close. From the piles of bird feathers that I find, both birds are active hunters. The Red-tailed gives a better aerial show as it will soar overhead. When I notice a distinct lack of small birds around, that’s a big clue that one of these predators is nearby. The Osprey is much larger and is truly magnificent but they won’t be back till spring. The Kestrels, Northern Harriers and Peregines often visit the marsh but it is these two hawks that provide our daily drama.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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