Short-tailed Hawk….finally!
(click on photo to enlarge)
I usually travel to Tucson once a week and for the last month or so have included a stop in a residential neighborhood where a Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) has over-wintered for the past two years. Since it’s been seen by most of the birding population of Tucson, I thought I’d include myself among those ranks. Problem was, the hawk was never visible when I went to look for it. I always had my camera with me and after six attempts I even considered leaving the camera at home. That’s usually a sure bet I’ll see a bird I’ve been searching for!
Even though this was not a life bird (I’ve seen them in the Florida Everglades) they are rare in Arizona and only recently have begun to colonize in the state. It was definitely worth the effort to find it and finally my lucky day came on Wednesday, 2/4. The hawk was soaring all over the neighborhood. I never saw it land because I had to rush off to an appointment. I didn’t mind though because the hawk was finally mine.
Sub-adult Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
March 17th, 2009 at 10:51 am
You are a busy woman! In the process of admiring your photographs and your web site, I looked at some of your African Safari photos…always wanted to do that!! With the financial situation going on it’s unlikely that I’ll “make-it”. Last year I got some great shots at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Wild Wood Ducks fly in there for food. Also they raised three Cheetas = lots of purring when the keeper had food in her pocket. Best regards from me on “The Isle of Kent”= Eastern Shore of Maryland