Red-tailed Hawk Grabs Mouse

What an amazing day...I went out for a quick walk this morning to see the birds and get in some exercise. Out of the corner of my eye, near a huge riverbed next to our condo, I saw a huge bird. I went over to investigate:) I immediately knew it was a hawk, and as you all know, I'm a bird nut....be still my heart !!!!!

I grabbed the camera and realized how close I was to this magnificent hawk, and was so excited to be getting a couple shot. Then he flew off. Within 30 seconds he returned with a mouse in his claws, and settled down on a light post not more than 25 feet away. This was going to be the best day ever:))

I kept snapping photos, and walking closer, and he could have cared less about whether I was there or not! I shot for at least 20 minutes while he devoured the mouse. I even just stood there for a bit and watched, as I knew this was a once in a lifetime event.

After he finished the mouse meal, he flew to a tree right closeby....I walked over there and kept shooting. The picture I chose was from those tree shots. I chose it because I thought his eye was so amazing!! I still cannot believe that I was so close to this hawk, and that I got to witness this amazing raptor!

If you'd like to see more photos of the mouse meal, visit my Flickr page, Click here for slide show!