I had a visitor today (pics)

[77south]

About 10 or 15 years ago, my parents' cat had kittens which she kept in the kennel behind our storage shed.  We noticed a hungry red tailed hawk hanging around the trees nearby.  The cat noticed too,  the next day all the little kittens had hawk for breakfast.

[Kopfjäger]

About 10 or 15 years ago, my parents' cat had kittens which she kept in the kennel behind our storage shed.  We noticed a hungry red tailed hawk hanging around the trees nearby.  The cat noticed too,  the next day all the little kittens had hawk for breakfast.

I would have to see pics to believe that fish story.

[Kopfjäger]

Still unsure about that.  I heard the dog barking for about an hour, so I went to investigate. The hawk was on the ground defending with its talons.

I believe the hawk was on the ground eating a mouse or something of the sort. It was in a thicket of sorts. It was preoccupied and did not notice my dog approaching.  The thick brush kept it from getting airborne. Dog attacked.

That is the best theory I can come up with.

It's hard to say without seeing what happened. The Hawk could have been manteling over a kill, and the dog snuck up on him (not likely). More than likely the bird injured itself chasing prey. It happens when they go crashing through thickets. Even a big slow Red Tail is quick.


Red-Tailed Hawk vs. Rattler

[causeofkaos]

who needs Discovery channel when youve got the DMF

[Langanobob]

I was driving on a backroad between Susanville, CA and Reno and saw a redtailed hawk off away from the road, on the ground and flapping, clearly in distress.  Thinking some idiot had shot it I stopped, thinking I might be able to take it to one of those rehab centers.   Turned out a pretty good sized gopher  snake had it around the neck and they were in fierce combat.  The snake was winning and I don't think the hawk had much time left although his eyes had that defiant fearless look.   I think the hawk attacked the snake but the snake was able to turn the tables on him.

Being a raptor lover I grabbed a jacket and tossed it over them and managed to unwrap the snake.  Hawk was not grateful and put a serious grip on my thumb.  I tossed the snake one way and the hawk the other and the bird took off going as fast as I've ever seen one go.

Interesting that afterward I really didn't feel good about rescuing the hawk, somehow I felt like I'd interfered and deprived not just the snake, but all of snakedom of a major victory. 

I had a camera in the car, but it looked like the redtail only had seconds left so I made a deliberate decision to jump in rather than going back for the camera.  I've second guessed that decision a few times.