The Hawk And The Vole

IMG 9666 Edit - The Hawk And The Vole
Watching this Red-tailed Hawk capture and consume a vole was a treat to observe and photograph. 

In my last post, Spring Has Sprung And The Birds Are Arriving On Cue I mentioned birding lately where there are no people so I can get out while practicing social distancing. These locations have proven to be incredibly rewarding in terms of birds and I have found the solitude to be incredibly beneficial for clearing my head and reducing stress.

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A high perch provides a great vantage point of the meadow below.

At one location in particular, I have had great views of a Red-tailed Hawk routinely seen soaring overhead or perched in a tree overlooking a large meadow. On my last visit as I made my way back to the car, I saw the hawk sitting up high in a tree and moved in for a better view.

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After noticing something move in the field below the hawk took flight.

One thing I always do when trying to get close to any type of wildlife is never walk directly towards it. I find by taking a zig-zag approach or going wide around the subject and advancing from the periphery I can get much closer. Also, I avoid direct eye contact rather keeping the subject in view out of the corner of my eye. In my opinion, approaching an animal straight on replicates a predator stalking its prey and the subject is almost guaranteed to flee. 

IMG 9861 Edit 2 - The Hawk And The Vole
At first, I couldn’t tell if the hawk had captured something of simply had a talon full of grass.

As I got closer, I took several photos of the hawk perched against the clear blue sky. Sticking with the adage if my behavior changes their behaviour than I’m too close, I did not proceed as the bird remained calmly at rest in the tree. Watching the hawk, I could see something in the long grass caught its eye. With my camera still held near my face, the hawk took flight and swooped down to the ground about forty feet from where I was standing. As the bird hopped around on the ground I wasn’t sure if it had captured anything or not. After repositioning itself I could see the hawk had a vole in its talons.  

IMG 9900 Edit - The Hawk And The Vole
After repositioning itself I could see the hawk had captured a vole.

I watched for several minutes as the hawk consumed the vole. First a few small bites then eventually swallowing what was left whole. Once finished the hawk took flight and retreated to a nearby tree. The whole experience lasted less than ten minutes and was a treat to see and photograph. 

IMG 9924 Edit - The Hawk And The Vole
The hawk’s sharp beak easily made short work of the vole.

To capture these images I used my Canon 7D and Canon 100-400mm lens (both the old versions not the MkII) at 400mm. The images in this post are cropped only slightly to improve the composition. As far as camera settings go I was using aperture priority mode with my aperture set to f/8 and ISO at 800 resulting in a shutter speed of 1/1600.  

IMG 9963 Edit - The Hawk And The Vole
After tearing off several smaller pieces the hawk swallowed the vole.

I hope everyone is getting an opportunity to get out and enjoy the warmer temps and spring weather we have been experiencing lately. The sunny skies sure are brightening our days both literally and metaphorically. If you get the chance, find a secluded place near you and spend a few minutes immersed in nature and sunshine. This is a great way to forget about what is going on in the world, relieve stress, and appreciate the little things that surround us each day. 

Good birding,
Paul

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4 thoughts on “The Hawk And The Vole

  1. That was great photography Paul and very interesting. Yesterday I watched 2 crows go after 2 red tailed hawks that were too close to their nest. I am on the 10th floor so could get a good view with my binoculors.

  2. Nothing better then to see this bird looking fit and healthy, how old would you think this bird is Paul

    1. I agree Barry this bird looks quite healthy. I don’t know how to tell how old a bird like this would be. It is definitely and adult bird by the dark eye and deep red tail. Red-tailed Hawks reach maturity between 18 months and three years so it is at least that old. The being said, they can live 25 years.

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