Cooper's Hawk

I found this raptor while following a few wood ducks around a creek. Stealthily on my way in pursuit of a couple, this guy comes soaring in low into the woods, squawking up a storm. I froze in my tracks. I didn't see him land, but I knew he was just feet from me. I find him with his back to me eating on something freshly caught. I got the best angle I could and snapped off a few. It was obvious I was disturbing his lunch, so he chose another perch. Well, he chose unwisely, because visually, it was a much better perch for the photographer, so I snuck over to that one and snapped off a few more. He wasn't nearly as tolerant, moved again to a close branch, and finished his lunch. What was on the menu, I don't know...But, he was pretty cooperative I must say!

A Rally on Raptors

Eagles and hawks were the highlights for last few days.



Driving past this fenced off cornfield, I occasionally see wildlife within it's boundaries. Yesterday served up this eagle feeding on carrion. It was a thrill to be quite close to the raptor. Here is a cropped shot.



This photo is posted full size, for perspective. I'd have to guess about 100 feet away, using the Canon 100-400mm lens.




I had taken this photo over the weekend at a cooling lake that was used to serve our local power generating station that has since closed its doors. The lake is iced over, but is a magnet for eagles in the winter months. I spotted this guy, but didn't spot the 6 others in the background until reviewing the images later. Doh! I might have stayed out there alittle longer, if I had known they were out there.



I found this cooper perched over a small stream. He sat there the whole time without flushing. I love when I can leave without disturbing his post.




This giant red tail flew across the road just a few feet from my windshield and landed in this tree. He too, stayed put.



This dark morph red tail finished off the carrion that the eagle left behind.



Lastly, this turkey vulture was trying to mooch off the hawk for a taste of his prize.

Albino Redtail Hawk

Who doesn't love unusual creatures? I have been lucky enough to find a few albino animals, and this Albino Redtail Hawk is nearby. I will say that it is in the Channahon/Minooka area, but that's all I am saying. He, (or she) likes a certain area that is secluded, so traffic is at a minimum for disturbance. And... when you do see him, what a sight it is! He is amazing to look at. He has an ever so slight reddish spot like a yamica on his head, and a tint of red on a few of his tail feathers, but other than that, he is pure white. Most hawks do not let you get close enough, but I have encountered this one many times, and the flight factor isn't always the case. I have drove under him as he was on a utility pole, have stopped within 15 feet to snap off a few, and watched as he hunted a field without flying off to another location. On one occasion, he dive-bombed a couple of deer. If you look close at the third and fourth (behind the hawk) pictures, a Bluejay is picking on him. That Bluejay harrassed him until he screeched in frustration and flew off. Just another amazing day in nature.