I don’t know what it is about this summer but its been all about the raptors. Of course, the Red-Shouldered Hawks have been my daily smile. Although, on Wednesday, there were no RSHAs in sight when I drove by. Instead, an American Kestrel was perched there looking cutely fierce. Okay, I’ll take it.
Another fine example of 35 mph birding — taken through the sunroof of my car! Safety First!
Today, while the staff and students were playing a rip-roaring game of soccer on the field, one of the Red-Shoulders flew into a nearby pine tree. Was he looking to get a good view? There was no way any prey would be coming out with the soccer game — complete with third grade girls cheering at the absolute top of their lungs. A couple of my students saw it and pointed it out and knew it was a hawk so . . . yay me! 🙂
Tonight, when I was watering my roses with Ruby, I heard this awful screeching noise. It sounded like a raptor but I was confused when I heard it moving. Then I looked straight up. There were 6 raptors of some kind flying VERY high up. One of them was screaming it’s fool head off as they all headed north in loose circles. They looked lazy about it as they went but by the time I grabbed my camera and binocs, only one was in sight and I could not id it. Way too far away with the sun behind it. I’d love to know what that story was though. Interesting.
mother. wife. friend. teacher. writer. reader. photographer. birder. quilter. blogger.
Liza Lee Miller 
That’s dedication! A photo throught the sun roof!! Love it! Yay you indeed! Have a great weekend Liza. :c)
Liza, I hope you stopped the car to get that photo… Please say you did.
I’m fascinated with raptors, too. Those are the birds I chase in my car!
I love seeing kestrels. I used to ride my bike up to UCSC everyday to work, and I saw kestrels hovering in the great meadow all the time. It was long before I was interested in birdwatching, though, and I never got a photo. Now, I wish I had. Good job getting the kids interested in the hawk. That’s hope for the future.
Can’t say that I do much nature photography going 35mph through the sunroof!
Kestrels are one of my favorites.-Getting young people involved in birdwatching is definitely a good thing!
Cool! RAPTORS!
The 5 you saw overhead were most likely young hawks and their parents in a hunting lesson. the young beg for food even when they have fledged. Very neat to see!