Perched Red-shouldered Hawk, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, FloridaPerched Red-shouldered Hawk – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited

When I lived in Florida I saw far more Red-shouldered Hawks than Red-tailed Hawks but I didn’t often see them on the shore of Gulf Mexico. This Red-shouldered Hawk was just a few feet away from a tidal lagoon and just yards away from the Gulf when I photographed it in November of 2008. The sky was clear and the light was lovely.

I had been photographing a Great Blue Heron when I noticed the Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a bleached out snag and watched as it surveyed the beach around it. I slowly raised my camera and took about 40 frames of the Red-shouldered Hawk before it lifted off and flew towards Arrowhead Trail.

I didn’t expect to find a Red-shouldered Hawk while I wandered the north beach that morning but I sure loved the wonderful surprise.

Life is good.

Mia

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