Cooper’s Hawk in Mesquite Tree — Painting by kenne
— Bob Kuhn (Wildlife Artist, One of the Tucson 7)
Immature Cooper’s Hawk Photo-Artistry by kenne
“Until the mid-twentieth century, Cooper’s hawks were hunted as vermin. Indeed the farmer considered this
“chicken hawk” one of his primary foes. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 changed all that and became
Cooper’s hawk’s protection when it was amended in 1972 to include raptors, making it illegal to kill a raptor
or take their eggs or even their feathers. During that same period, chicken farming evolved to the current system
in which the chickens are better protected in environmentally controlled facilities; even the suburban farmer
with a backyard coop now focuses on other means of protection than his shotgun.
The beleaguered Cooper’s hawk of the early twentieth century became an endangered species in many states,
and the use of pesticides in the period after World War II further decimated the hawk. However, with the cessation
of some of the more harmful pesticides, a slow but steady increase in the number of breeding pairs began
in the 1960s to 1970s. Now, the population has recovered, and the species thrives once more.
Today, instead of regarding the hawk as a “blood-thirsty villain,” it is more fashionable to focus on
Cooper’s hawk’s admirable traits: his agility and speed, his hunting prowess, and his feisty attitude.
So now, we are more tolerant of his appetite for avian prey.” Source: coopershawks.com
One doesn’t usually see cooper’s hawk standing on the ground, so when I spotted this on the circle
curb I got my camera, first being careful not to spook the hawk.
Slowly, I moved closer, realizing this was an immature hawk that might be having problems
with our 110-degree temps and was spending time in the shade.
The cooper’s hawk watches me closely as I continue to narrow my distance from the bird.
I start to move to the hawk’s right trying to create a different angle to photograph this young bird.
Finally, the cooper’s hawk began to move toward flight. — Images by kenne
— kenne
Images by kenne
Cooper’s Hawk In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
— kenne
Ready for Takeoff (Cooper’s Hawk)– Image by kenne
ready for takeoff
flying comes naturally
not a leap of faith
— kenne
Cooper’s Hawk after Sex — Image by kenne
— kenne
Flag Over Sabino Canyon Visitor Center (11/07/11) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
I miss not being able to be out in Sabino Canyon, which will remain closed because of the Bighorn Fire till November 1st.
The Forest Service is keeping the Canyon closed to minimize dam and infrastructure damage due to flash flooding
during the monsoon season.
On Wednesday, August 5th, some Naturalists will be part of a Zoon meeting with Santa Catalina District Ranger, CJ Woodard.
He will give an update on the Sabino Canyon closure and be available for questions and answers.
— kenne
Adult Cooper’s Hawk In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
A medium-sized hawk with the classic accipiter shape: broad, rounded wings and a very long tail.
In Cooper’s Hawks, the head often appears large, the shoulders broad, and the tail rounded.
A Visitor On The Patio (Immature Cooper’s Hawk) — Images by kenne
This immature Cooper’s Hawk perched on one of our patio chairs not far from the bird feeder frequented by doves for about one minute this morning. A mature hawk would have been up in the olive tree near the feeder. Even then, that doesn’t work as well as swooping from over the rooftop. They will learn. These images were taken through the patio door, which given the time of day the doors become a mirror.
— kenne
Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk On Patio Fountain — Image by kenne
This Cooper’s Hawk is probably not the guy that captured the Mourning Dove that I posted several days ago (Cooper’s Hawk and Prey). Since doves also frequent the fountain, it is not unusual to see hawks in the olive tree on the patio.
On the morning the dove became the hawk’s prey there were feathers near the patio door. This was not unusual since doves have been known to fly into the patio door leaving a print on the glass and a few scattered feathers. However, this time there were feathers, but no print leaving me to conclude the hawk probably cornered the dove.
— kenne
Adult Cooper’s Hawk in Mesquite Tree — Image by kenne
Cooper’s Hawk and Prey — Image by kenne
Returning from a morning walk my eye caught a Cooper’s Hawk flying into a nearby Mesquite tree. After closer observation, I could see the hawk had captured a mourning dove. Since the tree was near my house, I quickly grabbed my camera and began shooting.
Predator and prey
Each seeking to win the chase
A daily event.
— kenne
Cooper’s Hawk — Image by kenne
— kenne
Cooper’s Hawk (Sabino Canyon Recreational Area) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
— kenne
Round-tailed Ground Squirrel (She/he actually lives on the other side of the wall.)– Image by kenne
— kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 