We headed out for a "sure-thing" beaver shot which we didn't get but we did get this cool hawk shot. This is the first Broad-winged Hawk [Buteo platypterus] that I've photographed. It breeds in continuous deciduous or mixed-deciduous forest [mid and eastern Canada and US] and winters in tropical forests [northern South America].
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says that "a recent study attached satellite transmitters to the backs of four Broad-winged Hawks and followed them as they migrated south in the fall. The hawks migrated an average of 7,000 km (4,350 mi) to northern South America, and traveled an average of 111 km (69 mi) each day. Once at the wintering grounds, the hawks did not move around much, staying on average within 2.6 square km (1 square mi)."
Well ... I suppose that they're so tired after that LONG trip! Seriously tho, this is a gorgeous capture, Anne. And certainly as good as getting a beaver. You'll get that beaver yet. :)
wow! this is a kick-ass shot (pardon my language!). impressively kick-ass, i should say. its eyes seem to say: whatcha doin?! look at those talons! holy camoley!
What a great find. Thanks for the info too. They travel a lot each day. We had a juvenile red tailed hawk visit yesterday, but I could not get close enough for a shot.
Great capture....saw 2 when I went to the wildlife park yesterday, caged. Felt so, so sad that magnificent birds like this are all cooped up when they should be soaring in the sky. I would rather I never see them than to have them caged like that.
I love the raptors