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Brian Mullins | all galleries >> Galleries >> red_tailed_hawks > Red-tailed-Hawk-with-rabbit
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12/20/2003 Brian N. Mullins

Red-tailed-Hawk-with-rabbit

Plainville, CT wetlands

Captures a rabbit and is alarmed at my approach.


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Guest 20-Feb-2008 01:01
An adult would have dropped the prey and fled. Young have not learned the fear factor yet. Leroy Haeffner a retired Wildlife biolgist
Brian Mullins02-Jan-2004 12:16
Dave, thank you for your comment. This red-tailed hawk is a juvenile I've been watching (from a distance) for awhile. On this particular day I was in a local wetlands area, and I saw it stoop for the unfortunate rabbit (hare?). I fell on some ice scrambling to get a look. I approached and this hawk was not going to give up its victim, even when I got very close. It was facinating to see it raise its hackles and go through various manuevers and gestures. I moved around it, and it moved, also. It was an amazing experience, and it made me realize just how strong their hunting instinct is: refusing to relinquish prey or retreat, even with the approach of danger. I took some photos and retreated because I didn't want to intrude too much, and I let nature take its course.

Brian M.
Dave 25-Dec-2003 12:29
Nice job! Red Tails are so people-shy. How did you get the photos? Did the bird turn around and give you different angles?