Spotting a family of red-tailed hawks while riding at my farm
Update: Please check out Francesca and Sharkey's new blog! The Daily Wag
Update: YES, I am really using Twitter! @marthastewart
While Betsy and I were riding this past weekend, Betsy spotted a plump red-tailed hawk sitting in one of the very large sycamore trees. This is the most common and widespread hawk in North America and is frequently seen soaring in open areas. These medium-sized birds of prey perch high above the ground where they have a keen view of what may become their next meal. Male and female red-tail hawks share the same markings, however, the female is the larger of the two – about 25 % heavier than males. It’s also interesting to note that because red-tails are so easily trained as proficient hunters, they are widely used in this country for falconry. Come and see what I captured with my Canon G10.
Seeing a hawk up close just takes my breath away. We have red-shouldered hawks here in Tampa and one visits my back garden like clockwork every afternoon. As much as I love to see it, I hate to think of it having one of the yard rabbits for lunch. Hopefully it's keeping the rodent population down.
Posted by: Holley | March 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
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Nice to see the rich sky and the bony claw closeups of branch and bird. In my sky is a family of blue herons. Their long airstream legs, extended, give a prehistoric echo to the wind.
Early to bed, early to rise . . . Goodnight.
MY CROCUSES ARE UP AN INCH! There is a chemical that protects such flowerers from snow cover. I'm not sure what it is though.
ZZZzzzzzz
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Posted by: andrea and the weimaraners | March 2nd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Cool photos. Makes me miss the red-tails at my "other" home, outside Seattle, WA. We are in Israel for 2-3 years and there's just not as much wildlife here...
Your red-tails are lighter in color and larger; out west they're smaller, darker, and not so noble looking
Posted by: Christine | March 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Hi Martha, This blog about the red tailed hawks and the Canada geese is spectacular and the photos are absolutely stunning! The blue sky behind those red tailed hawks is absolutely beautiful. I love watching all of the birds that fly in my area that is very near Puget Sound. Not only do we have hawks and Canada geese, but we also have sea gulls and wonderful bald eagles. I always notice the hawks and bald eagles because the crows make so much noise every time they fly over my house. The eagles and hawks just ignore the crows and go about their business as if the crows weren't even there. Yesterday the crows were really noisy around a western hemlock and I couldn't see any hawks or eagles. I got out my binoculars and there at the top of the tree was a beautiful hawk. It took off after a little while and the crows filled the tree and quieted down. I just love watching Mother Nature when ever I can. Thanks again for sharing. Stay warm everyone. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
What a majestic looking bird. Beautiful photos.
Posted by: Maureen | March 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 am
Spring is coming, the hawks are pair up. We have one or two all winter, in the summer we will see them catching snakes. Now that is a sight.
And of course we have to take care of our cats.
Martha, you are going to have to get a western saddle so you can either have saddle bags or drap your camera over the horn.
Thanks as always.
Posted by: Margie | March 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 am
Hi Martha!
What do you know? I just saw a hawk yesterday! And he was watching me, too.
Here to check out the new dog blog but where oh where is it?
Posted by: tinay | March 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 am
I follow you on Twitter, Martha! It's fun isn't it?
It's good to see hawks thriving in many places again. They are a thrilling sight to see!
Posted by: Pat | March 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 am
Hi Martha, it's always a thrill to be able to observe a hawk, isn't it? They are such beautiful creatures! Lucky you to have had your camera along to capture the moment.
If you enjoy photos of birds of prey, I would encourage you to visit this site I found via fellow bloggers: http://www.lookingup.me.uk/index.html
Visit when you have some time to spend, the photos are amazing!
Posted by: luanne | March 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 am
AWESOME pictures Martha!!! Thank you for sharing!! I love bird watching!
Posted by: Julie | March 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 am
Oh how I love this time of year when everything is waking up from a winter coma! I started following you on Twitter and was excited to see Franny and Sharkey have their own blog now!
Posted by: Kari | March 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 am
I recently took some photographs of our winter guests, the endangered whooping cranes. If you are interested, please check out my blog post: http://portapelican.blogspot.com/2009/03/visit-with-whooping-cranes.html
Posted by: Port Aransas Pelican | March 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 am
Great pics! I work on the 10th floor of a building near Boston Common and we often see red-tailed hawks around here.
Posted by: Rhea | March 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 am
These pictures are EXCEPTIONAL, Martha! You have captured excellent close-ups of these regal birds of prey! With your wide open fields, then sheltered woodlands there at Cantitoe Corners, you have primo habitat for this species (along with [don't forget!] eastern bluebirds!) Amazingly, I too, have a resident hawk from time to time, but my surrounding ecosystem is suburban and not country. I do have adequate stands of trees and some open fields nearby that remain undeveloped...that helps! One hawk landed one summer evening right on my neighbor's front sidewalk, and I talked to it across the lawn. (I talk to everything! - ladybugs, praying mantids - I'm okay! Really!) It stayed for at least a minute. He had his 'pantaloons' on (the feathers down his legs appear this way) - it was really neat. You really have to watch, though - any birdfeeding station will end up providing them a smorgasbord! I've witnessed a beautiful cardinal being snatched right off a fence picket where he was waiting for a snack at the feeder. It happens so fast, that you blink, and wonder to yourself if what just happened really DID happen!
By the way, my Edgar =^..^= posted today on the 'girls' new blog. (I tho't he slept allll day looong...) I don't know if he'll be a regular, like his mommy is on your blog, Martha...we'll have to talk about it and see what he'd like to do. Knowing him like I do, he'll prob'ly want to drop in from time to time to say mrrrowhello. [giggle] (He's such a good boy, Martha!)
Think spring, my friend!
Sunshine!
=^..^=
"Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep."--Carl Sandburg
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | March 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hi Martha...it's me from dianaevans dot blogspot dot com ...
i just started a new initiative called
Help Me - Help people - Help You
it is all about bees and making a difference in this world...I need all the help I can get to get the word out. I created an art piece and 10.00 dollars from each piece will go towards a fund that will provide a family with a package of bees, the box and hive, plus training in beekeeping - and this unique gift will be passed on to another family in need...I would love to increase the number of bees in the world and really love this idea....
I hope you can help me get the word out.
Hugs
Diana
Posted by: Diana Evans | March 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
That is so neat! I love hawks!
Posted by: Ulla | March 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
Martha--! I love that you're on twitter! I'm a follower. Been a fan forever, and a steadfast fan through your ups and downs.
Now here's a question: does Alexis have twitter? I love "Whatever, Martha!"
Posted by: C(h)ristine | March 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
My dad has a red-tailed hawk sit perfectly still in his birdbath on occasion. I think it comes not for just a bath and drink but to try to eat the personable little black lizards who run around the yard, and thus is not all that welcome. Our red-tail hawks (in San Diego) seem to be somewhat different-looking in flight.
Posted by: jw | March 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Great pictures Martha! I am in the Blue Ridge Mountains in VA so this is the time we will start to see the hawks coming through in migration - it always seems such a miracle, and yet it is just what they must do! We are so lucky to be able to see them come through our area.
Posted by: SueR | March 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Did you see the picture of the bald eagle that was at Rosie O'Donnell's house?
Posted by: RYAN | March 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Martha has red-tailed hawks...Rosie O'Donnell has bald eagles...who and what is next?
Posted by: RYAN | March 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Hi Martha:
I am in Philadelphia, PA and we have red-tailed hawks here in the city. They soar over the open sky near the Delaware River and near our big city parks. I often go to the park and watch them sitting high up in the tree branches stalking the squirrels. The pidgeons and the squirrels change their behavior dramatically when the red-tailed hawks are around. Wildlife is great and I am an avid watcher of birds and local wildlife.
Francesca and Sharkey are just great. I love those two adorable doggies. I can hardly wait to check out their blog. Life is an oyster for those two for sure....
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | March 4th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Great shots, Martha!
Posted by: Patia | March 4th, 2009 at 5:43 am
I love to see hawks. We leave on the edge of a Marsh so we see quite a few. I never get tired of watching them. I tend to spot them a lot, along are highway close to the coast. They are an amazing animal with such grace.
Posted by: Tracy | March 4th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I love all the hawk pictures. What a majestic bird. And I love that you added the geese pictures at the end.
Posted by: Melissa G | March 4th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Welcome to Twitter Martha!
@daynah
Posted by: Daynah | March 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
So nice to see you on Twitter! I noticed your going to be doing a segment on knitting and yarn. Have you checked out Ravelry.com yet? It's a social network for knitters and crocheters...perfect for the yarn addict!
Posted by: Angela | March 5th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Dear Martha, I attended the taping of your Tuesday shows with friends and had the pleasure of asking you a question on a friends behalf. You are a goddess to us and my friend was too shy to ask her question directly. Unfortunately I botched it! I asked why my hydrangea willted so quickly in my flower arrangement but should have asked how to keep them alive longer for a hand held bouquet. She makes them as a side hobby for friends events. The flowers are cut from her front yard while in bloom so I don't think freshness is an issue.
The next day was her birthday so we had a grand time on set. A response from you would just make her week complete.
PS Joe is a treasure!
Posted by: Dusanka | March 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Hey Martha,
Love your twitter site - great photos of the hawks. Must be cool to have them sit still so you can get photos. I had a real close-up encounter about a year ago. A juvenile red tail (at least I think it was) got into my chicken pen and had lunch. (my favorite araucana hen!) Anyway, I pulled in the driveway and saw this bird running into the fence. I thought why is a chicken doing that? I got out of the car and lo and behold it was a hawk trying to get out of the pen, and running into the fence next to the "leftovers". I guess hawks must take off with a running start and this young one was not quite smart enough to try the other direction. I love birds, and although I was not happy to lose a chicken, we had just had a terrible ice storm and everything was totally frozen and covered with ice. So he was hungry. Anyway, I had my daughter who was 10, run inside for my digital camera, and we got great shots of this bird from only a few feet away as I went into the pen with a long thick branch to try and get the bird to perch on it. I was careful not to frighten him much more than he was already due to his long talons as if he tried to defend himself it would be feet first! He was beautiful though. While talking softly to him, I finally walked him around the pen until he perched on the branch. I lifted him up shoulder height and he finally realized he could take off flying. Sure enough the mate was watching up from the trees and when the grounded bird took off the one in the tree began screeching to his mate. I never thought I'd get that close to a bird of prey outside the wildlife demonstrations I've seen. It was cool.
Posted by: Linda | March 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
You are a truly remarkable person. Not because you head a huge media empire but because you are such a renaissance person. So many interests, so much talent, so much curiosity. How did that come about?
It's an incredible gift.
Posted by: Carol Hurwitz | March 11th, 2009 at 3:45 pm