Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Red Tailed Hawk Pair

Nothing will get me reaching for my camera faster than the cry of a hawk.
This time we were out for our regular walk and I didn't have my best lens.
A pair of Red-tailed Hawks were flying together, pairing up I assumed, as creatures do in the spring.
I have read that hawks will soar high up in the sky and grab talons, consummating their courtship in free fall.  If you enlarge this image you will see that the higher of the two birds is assuming a very strange posture, legs down, head down and shoulders hunched, not a normal flying posture for a hawk.  
They flew higher and higher, out of sight, but I'm pretty sure I know what he had in mind but was she of the same mind?

You can see more or what is happening in the skies above us at SkyWatch, Friday, hosed for us each week by Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy.

21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, yes! I bet I know what he had on his mind, too!! What great shots -- best lens or not! Terrific captures, beautiful birds and heavenly BLUE skies!! Enjoy your evening and have a great tomorrow, Martha!!

Sylvia

peter said...

excellent shots:)
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eileeninmd said...

Great sighting of the Hawk couple. And your sky is looking beautiful. A wonderful day to be out birding. Have a great day.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

How long will this courtship last?

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Best lens or not, great pictures.

Gaelyn said...

Oh yea, that cry of the hawk. Had an immature Cooper's fly in twice yesterday.

I know that eagles do the talon lock mating thing, not sure about hawks.

Unknown said...

Quite the sight!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Steffi said...

Very impressing photos!Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend!

Carver said...

Great shots of the hawks.

EG CameraGirl said...

Excellent question. :)) Is it mating season already!?

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

First step of the courtship anyway!

Anonymous said...

hawks are one of my favorite raptors!

Carolyn Ford said...

a hawk's wings are so photogenic! beautiful!

Liz said...

Beautiful shots! Happy sky watching.

My Sky.

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Beautiful scenes.

Regards and best wishes

Anna said...

I really love this... beautiful captures!
Greetings from Holland,
Anna :-))

Judy said...

Great shots! The birds here are starting to make noises, too, so spring must be coming!

Pat said...

LOL...Love is definitely in the air. Fantastic captures, Martha. I'm glad the Red-Tailed Hawks are thriving.

Barb said...

I saw eagles free-fall once - it was a spectacular sight! I'm thinking he gave her something really special on Valentine Day!

Sharkbytes said...

This has just been a great year for hawks- everyone is getting good pix!

Janie said...

Great shots. I would love to see a pair of hawks in a courtship fall. That must be a rare sighting.