©Jonathan C. Slaght
June 13, 2018
A Near Miss
- as seen by -
Jonathan C. Slaght
@JonathanSlaght Cooper’s hawks are precision instruments, designed to pluck other birds from the cover of forest by ambush and stealth. These crow-sized raptors thrive in urban and suburban landscapes, trapping starlings in alleys, taking robins from backyards, and striking pigeons in city parks.
Last week, this Cooper’s hawk threaded the narrow driveway between a lilac hedge and my house in Minneapolis, moving eye-level like a grey missile, pivoting off target when it saw me to land in a nearby tree. There, the hawk alternated its red-eyed glare from me to the cedars where the resident sparrows were now uncharacteristically silent.
I had inadvertently spoiled this hunt, but this hawk would not likely go hungry for long.
Canon 7D Mark II
Leave a Comment
Marguerite
June 18, 2018 at 4:58 pm
I live in southern NM and we have Cooper’s Hawks swooshing by frequently … especially in the fall. They will feast on a Gambel quail or a white winged dove whenever they can catch one. All it takes to create a little nature preserve here is everyday seed & everyday freshening of our water saucers. I love the Cooper’s being part of the scene. We are fortunate to get such close up views of the natural world in action. Thank you for this.
C. Walters
July 11, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Since 1986, we’ve put up with these blasted Cooper’s feasting at our birdfeeder, finally have some success with installing trellis around feeders, to slow them down. I don’t mind them hunting, but not sitting on top of the feeder! Especially in the winter! On the other hand, love seeing the Red-Tails at any time.