nest raider

I saw this harrier hawk in the top of a tree in the yard! 

That's the closest to the house I've seen one, as it was probably

 raiding a bird's nest.

 Wild Bird Wednesday

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Harrier Hawk

You might remember from earlier posts that there is a hawk that lives close to our house. Every day, I see him (her?) flying along the fence lines looking for food. Since they are opportunistic eaters,   Hubby will occasionally bring fresh roadkill back to the house. 

I know that sounds weird, but we use it for photo opportunities because they are very skittish birds. I close the curtains in one room enough to see the roadkill but still be hidden and Hubby places it in the field paddock in the right place.

 I thought it was a bit strange that the latest rabbit laid in the grass for a couple of days with no notice. Then, there he was! 

But, there was something off about his color. I didn't remember a white patch on his head but just figured I wasn't as observant as I like to think I am :).

I won't bore you with ALL the photos I took!

And, as I was snapping away, another hawk showed up!

The second hawk had the white feathers on his head, too. Just after I snapped this shot, he landed a ways away and kept his back to the hawk that was eating. 

When that one was done and walked away, the second hawk ate.

Come to find out, the white feathers indicated juvenile birds. 

And, while I was watching these two, I noticed a hawk in the background that I'm sure was Twitchie (our resident hawk) scouring the hedges.

Since I've only ever seen a second hawk during mating season, I have no idea where these two came from or what they were doing in my part of the area. I will have to keep an eye out for them to see if they hang around.



Thankful Thursday

Wild Bird Wednesday

All Seasons

New Zealand harrier hawk

Photo Friday

Skywatch Friday

NZ Harrier

When Hubby suddenly stopped the car as we drove around the Napier countyside, I knew something exciting was afoot. He drove slowly back a few meters and there was this beauty, standing in the water in a ditch.  S/He let me take several photos just feet a meter or so away.  Hubby turned the car around and he took some shots from the other side of the road before this fabulous bird took off.

Whether this is a falcon or a hawk, I don't know. But I do know that is it usually quite an elusive bird. Click here for more information about it.

One flies around our house all the time (we call him 'Twitchy') but never gets close unless we provide some easy food. Even then, getting photos is not easy.  So, I am happy to have seen this more patient bird that let us shoot til our hearts' content.

Wild Bird Wednesday

Saturday Critters

The Bird D'Pot

NZ harrier falcon

I caught sight of this magnificent bird on our way out yesterday and I hope to get many more at the house as time goes by. They are beautiful creataures.

Weekly Top Shot

Nature Notes