A Hawk in the Backyard

[cycler68]

Recently I had a young red tailed hawk take a squirrel in my backyard. I was fortunate to get some good pictures before he left with his prize.Hawk1.jpgHawk4.jpgHawk6.jpgHawk5.jpg

[The Chronicler]

Did he leave the tail? Makes good fly tying material.

[cycler68]

No. He took a few nibbles of the squirrel before he flew off but he didn't leave anything behind.

[TyroneFly]

I need one to visit my yard to get rid of a few pesky squirrels that raid my bird feeders. But then again, I wouldn't have any birds coming to my yard if one did visit. lol

[fishdog54]

Cycler68,

Just Ma Nature doing her thing. I had to LOL, because I thought the very same thing as the Chronicler. I guess we fly tiers have a one- track mind! BTW, did you ever notice how those Las Vegas show girls always have the best Ostrich herls - Man, thats just not right!

Best regards, Dave S.

[ScottP]

Quite the pics - all part of the Great Circle of Life (that's what I tell the kids whenever a hawk claims a bird at our feeders). By the way, that looks more like a Cooper's Hawk, going by the barred tail feathers and squared head. Never had one bag a squirrel in our yard (chipmunks yes) but they're certainly big enough to pull it off.

Regards,
Scott

[Donat]

Thanks for sharing. How lucky are you to have time to get your camera. I wish I had a picture to share of the Bald Eagle dining on fish while on my dock in Mid-Maine. Nature at it's best.

[James Smith]

Great photos. I love the fourth photo. The look on the hawks face says "You talking to me?... You talking to me?... " from Taxi Driver. Thanks for sharing.

Jim Smith

[EdD]

Did he leave the tail? Makes good fly tying material.

That's the first thing I thought, too.

Ed

[cycler68]

Hmmmm. Let's see, both the hide and tail have good fly tying material. I have it! He should have killed the squirrel and brought it to the back door. I could have taken the body from him, skinned it and barbequed the meat and given that back to him to eat with my compliments. Then I would have had some good fly tying material and he would have had a sumptuous dinner, for a hawk that is.