As I stepped out of my car at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge recently, this Red-shouldered Hawk zipped by at eye level out of nowhere, and quickly disappeared into the trees lining the road. At first he stayed hidden, but then he emerged cautiously, peering out as if to get his bearings.
The eBird entry for this medium-sized Hawk (Buteo lineatus) illustrates how widespread their range can be. They are generally found year-round in much of the eastern United States, and are very common here in South Florida.
Audubon’s description of the Red-shouldered is reminiscent of many lovely walks in the woods: “A hawk of the woodlands, often heard before it is seen. The clear whistled calls of this hawk are conspicuous, especially in spring; in the east, Blue Jays often give a near-perfect imitation of this call.” (Audubon.org)
It’s always a treat to encounter a beautiful, cinnamon-breasted Red-shouldered Hawk like this, especially when unexpected and so close!
Birder's Journey 
Glad you were able to get so close! Gorgeous!
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Thanks, Yaffa♥️. I’m so glad I opened my car door and stepped out at that very moment!
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Now that’s what I call a beautiful personal encounter.
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It certainly was, Berny!
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Very nice series of images! Enjoyed seeing them!
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Thanks! And thanks for stopping by, Reed!
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Formidable looking bird!
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He was pretty awesome! Thanks, Cyndi ☺️
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so glad you were ready for him! what a great shot!
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Thanks, Eddie. It was as if he came to me on purpose 😉
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wow, how majestic!
On Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 4:02 PM Birder’s Journey wrote:
> Birder’s Journey posted: ” As I stepped out of my car at Ding Darling > National Wildlife Refuge recently, this Red-shouldered Hawk zipped by at > eye level out of nowhere, and quickly disappeared into the trees lining the > road. At first he stayed hidden, but then he emerged cauti” >
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He certainly was a majestic bird, Yishai. A real beauty!
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I have wonderful memories of taking pictures of a red-shouldered hawk on my one and only visit to South Florida. Mine was as patient at being photographed as your’s seems to have been. Great photos!
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So nice to read about your experience, Amy! Yes, exactly… This hawk seem to be very patient while I took his photograph, just sat on the open branch even when I moved a few feet to the right or the left.
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They ever talking Red-shoulder 😂😂. Very nice. Just talking about Ding Darling and if it would be a trip over the holidays 😃. Still up in the air, but I love the place.
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Over the holidays December to January would be wonderful time for Ding Darling. How long a trip is it for you guys?
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Last year was a month. December into January. A friend of Ellen’s owns a home on the island, maybe 10 minutes from Ding Darling.
This year the Everglades is winning. We live in the Lowcountry, last year was also Okefenokee, so the next big swamp in line is center of the Everglades. With Covid might not be a trip at all. Have to see 😒.
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Either way, you are looking at one of the very best times of the year! 🌴☀️
(How convenient to have a friend who lives on Sanibel Island😉)
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Actually it’s a vacation home. 👍
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A wonderful encounter with this beautiful bird BJ, what a blessing ! Some lovely shots also.
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Thanks so much for your lovely comments, AB! Wishing you a beautiful day and a beautiful week ☀️
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You have captured this Red-shouldered Hawk beautiful, Carol. 🙂
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Thanks so much, HJ!!
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What a beautiful bird! (though I’m sure its prey is less appreciative of its beauty – it looks as if it is as deadly as it is beautiful)
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So true, I think it makes me saddest when a baby bird is their prey and the parent birds desperately try to attack the hawk in defense of the young one 🙁
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What a treat! It’s beautiful and so are your images.
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Yes… I love it when something like this happens “out of the blue“! Thanks so much for your kind words, Deborah.
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You’re welcome!
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Wow, a fun encounter and great images, Carol! Your patience waiting for him to emerge sure paid off.
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Thanks, Ellen. I was really concerned that he’d either fly out the other side of the trees, or emerge and then leave as quickly as he came. He was a very accommodating subject!
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What a terrific experience!
Although our most common hawk, they are uncommonly beautiful! As your excellent photographs show.
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I quite a bit agree about how beautiful they are, Wally! It is amazing how common and widespread they are. Thanks so much for your kind words!
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Wonderful encounter and photos, Carol!
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Yes it was indeed a wonderful encounter, Donna. Another place you’ve probably frequented (Ding Darling), where I would be more likely to see egrets and herons of ALL kinds, and pelicans, etc. This hawk was a real treat.☺️
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Excellent images of this impressive, beautiful hawk!!
Guess it gave a feeling of both excitement and joy to get so close.
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So right, Anita – very special.
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Wow… what a beauty!!
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He certainly was, Amy!
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