I mentioned in yesterday’s post that I’d share a photo of a Red-tailed Hawk perched on the ground at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. What was it doing down there?
This curious hawk caught my attention as it repeatedly swooped down, close enough for me to see its focused search. While I couldn’t pinpoint its target, I observed its keen movements: turning its head, scanning the grass, and surveying the area with piercing eyes. After a few moments, it perched on a nearby roadside sign, resuming its ground inspection.
Intrigued, I considered the unseasonably warm February weather and recent rainfall. The air buzzed with frog calls, even from the water-filled roadside ditch. Red-tailed Hawks boast a diverse menu, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and amphibians like frogs. Though I didn’t spot any standing water where the hawk searched, perhaps it sought a tasty insect like a grasshopper hidden among the vegetation.
Note: The mystery remains! What do you think the hawk was after? I have photographed a Vole near this location: Vole Or Field Mice
Image Information:
- Date: 02/02/24
- Time: 10:54 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 400
- Aperture: 9
- Shutter: 1/1000
- Exp. Comp.:+0.3
- Lens (mm): 500
- Program Mode: Manual