When Things Fall into Place

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Sometimes things fall into place as was the case for a Cooper’s Hawk site visit. For the most part there are always branches to deal with that can make shooting difficult and frustrating.
Mrs. Cooper’s had just received a meal from her mate and had perched on a low hanging bough over the path…no branches to deal with this time.
They are commonly found in parks and residential areas of the city.
With a diet consisting mostly of small birds but will often take squirrels as well… their ability to fly through thick bush boggles my mind to watch when they are focused on prey.

Unexpected Fly-By

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Another member of the Falcon Family…American Kestrel’s perhaps not as common as the larger Merlin’s.
They have two very noticeable black vertical stripes on the side of their faces. Unlike Merlin’s who use abandoned crows nest the Kestrel is a cavity nester and will use old Woodpecker holes or openings in manmade structures.
Kestrels are often seen along country roads…taking advantage of telephone/hydro lines to perch on and hunt from.
They tend to hover when hunting and take their prey on the ground…which consists of insects, mice and small birds.

So if you’re out for a drive in the country keep an eye for one of these small Falcons.