PAW 31: Hawk-mobbing and watch out for the business end!

After another unsuccessful 1/2-day search for dirt-bathing ground squirrels I noticed Shoreline Park's resident red-tailed hawk watching part of his territory and preening. He must have been near this northern mockingbird's favorite feed zone or maybe the mockingbird just doesn't like big predators - the plucky little bird showed its displeasure by butting the hawk several times from behind (mobbing behavior):
http://www.mountain-and-desert.com/Wildlife/Birds/Hawk-like/DBE-DH0326-56.htm

It's never a good idea to walk behind and underneath a perched raptor pre-flight. I missed the takeoff but I did get this rather unusual 'ejection' shot. Should be a good 'closer' for a photo story:
http://www.mountain-and-desert.com/Wildlife/Birds/Hawk-like/DBE-DH0362-5.htm

All comments welcome.


Mark Bohrer
www.mountain-and-desert.com
Adventure travel and wildlife photography 


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