Red-shouldered Hawk in flight, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, FloridaRed-shouldered Hawk in flight – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 330mm, natural light, not baited

This Red-shouldered Hawk photo was taken in Florida in November of 2008 just after the hawk lifted off from an old snag near a Great Blue Heron I had been photographing. This image shows the “red shoulders” very nicely. I wouldn’t have expected to find a Red-shouldered Hawk at the tip of the north beach of Fort De Soto near the sand dunes because it isn’t the kind of habitat I normally saw them in but it goes to show that keeping your eyes open for the unexpected can pay off.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red-shouldered Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.