Sunday, July 11, 2010

Cooper's Hawks

Cooper's Hawk perched Saturday morning on a low lying oak branch.

Anyone know if this is a juvenile hawk?

I haven't found it, but there is a nest somewhere in our neighborhood. Mornings and evenings we hear the hawks screeching and occasionally spot the family of hawks flying overhead. I've seen two adult hawks and at least two juveniles.

It might look like I've turned this photo on its side. But, other than cropping the photo, this is the real deal -- a young hawk flying straight up. When I took this, there were three hawks in my field of vision -- an adult hawk soaring above, another juvenile darting sideways, and this one who took the up elevator.

I posted a year ago about Cooper's Hawks and had better luck at getting a clear photo. Last year's post also has some background on this amazing bird.

5 comments:

Bellis said...

You're very lucky to have breeding Cooper's in your neighborhood. There was a big one in a tree in the desert garden of the Huntington Library Thursday. They don't like binoculars and cameras pointing at them so you've done well. The photo of the upward flight is impressive.

Petrea Burchard said...

I've seen the red-tailed ones at Hahamongna (am I correct in my analysis, Bellis?), but I don't think I've ever seen this species.

Michael Coppess said...

Bellis: Thanks for the reminder of how fortunate we are to see this bird. I can remember the awe the first time watching hawks around our place. Easy to forget how unusual that is when you see them every day.

Hi Petrea: A year ago I tried to find out what kind of hawk this was and just posted a photo. Someone commented that the hawk was a Cooper's Hawk. I researched on line and it checked out. Fun stuff.

Petrea Burchard said...

I may have seen some of these in our neighborhood yesterday. I'll try to get a shot. I believe there are three. I wonder if they've come down from the mountains because of the Station Fire.

pasadenapio said...

Such gorgeous and majestic creatures.