Checking out a few birding spots this morning I encountered the Red-tailed Hawk once again looking for prey and this time capturing it. The Red-tailed Hawk got a frog, chipmunk, and a very large insect while I observed from a distance. For the chipmunk, the Red-tailed Hawk sat in a tree near a fence. The chipmunk came out once and went right back into the tree trunk, knowing the hawk was present. The next time, a few minutes later the chipmunk came out the Red-tailed Hawk landed on it, spread it wings on the ground and held it down for a few minutes. The Red-tailed Hawk then flew off to a nearby tree and proceeded to have its meal. It does not always score but it had a good streak going while I was present. At one point it appeared to play with a piece of root, tossed it, pounced on it from 2 feet off the ground. Not sure what this was all about. Images were taken on July 29, 2015.
Warning: Some of the following images are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some viewers.

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk with frog

Red-tailed Hawk waiting for the chipmunk!

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk, poor thing!

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk

Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk

I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it

I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it

Flying up and then pouncing

flying up and pouncing

Just looking around

Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it

Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it

Just pouncing around

Just pouncing around

Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here

Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here

Ready to takeoff for the next event!



