Georgia on My Blog: Stopping for a Red-Shouldered Hawk

Stopping for birds and wildlife is an art that needs perfecting. My brother, for instance, does not stop (admittedly on busy highways) so that his sister can photograph a very large snapping turtle crossing the road or a group of Black Vultures gathered to inspect something no doubt worth exploring. However, when we were leaving Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, my sister-in-law spotted a bird at the side of the road and shouted “stop!”. And he did. Lucky for me – it was the first Red-shouldered Hawk that I have ever seen – or photographed. The bird was intent on watching something in the ditch. I did not see what the hawk was hunting, but I did get to see and photograph a beautiful hawk.

As I said, stopping to watch wildlife is a little appreciated art. By some people… Thanks for stopping Ken and good spotting Lenna!

A Red-shouldered Hawk at Okefenokee NWR

A Red-shouldered Hawk hunting at the side of the road

all photos and writing copyright J.A. Siderius 2014.