I came across this Red-tailed Hawk on a lonesome road south of Benbrook Lake.
A heavy rain had just given way to light sprinkles when I spotted this hawk perched on a road sign less that a quarter mile (0.4km) down the road. Red-tailed Hawks are usually very wary, but this one had his back turned to me, and I was somehow able to pull up right beside him without the bird realizing I was there. A very unusual circumstance in my experience.
It was the sound of my camera’s shutter that finally alerted the hawk to my presence, and to say he was startled would be something of an understatement. As you can see, he wasted no time removing himself from the vicinity.
I could tell the Red-tailed Hawk was already displeased about being soaked by the passing downpour. I’m sure getting caught with his pants down like this completely ruined his day.
Observation Details
| County | – | Tarrant |
|
| City | – | Unincorporated | |
| Date | – | Aug 18, 2012 | |
| Time of Day | – | Afternoon | |
| Temperature | – | Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C) | |
| Weather | – | Rain | |
| Habitat | – | Undeveloped-Wooded | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Fleeing | |
| Gender | – | Mixed | |
| Maturity | – | Mixed | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
