I spent eleven interesting minutes with this striking red-tail as it hunted, fed and interacted with a persistent magpie.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The hawk was “perch and wait” hunting from power poles in Montana’s Centennial Valley a little over two weeks ago. It would hunt from one pole for a while and then take off and try its luck from another pole.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Usually as it took off I’d only get blue sky as background but this time there were some trees back there to add a little interest.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The hawk was far away and hunting the side of a hill when I took this photo but I thought I’d include it because it shows off that magnificently fanned and beautiful red tail so well. Immediately after this shot it dove to ground and caught prey…
1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
and landed with it on an ugly post to enjoy its rodent meal but a local Black-billed Magpie took exception. During the entire time the meal was being consumed the magpie was in its face, either perched on one of the other posts or flying at the hawk like this.
I constantly fiddled with my camera settings in an effort to get both birds sharp but it was often a losing affair.
1/500, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I’ll spare you the graphic feeding shots but this gives you an idea of how brazen the magpie was.
I was unsure of the motive of the magpie – whether it was attempting to drive off the predator from its territory or it was after rodent leftovers. Or both.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But when the annoyed hawk flew off it left the stripped intestines of the rodent behind on the post (typical behavior of many raptors) and I never saw the magpie, who is still perched on a post out of frame to the left, show any further interest in them though I suspect it may have gobbled them down on a later visit.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But for now the magpie followed the hawk to its next perch and continued to give it grief.
I hope to visit the Centennial Valley again soon but there are many factors to consider in the timing of such a trip including weather, wildfires with their resulting smoke, the upcoming 4th of July holiday (I’ll hunker down at home for that), a vehicle that needs some work and continuing dental concerns.
Arranging these Montana trips can be complicated but come hell or high water I’ll make it up there several more times this summer.
Ron
What a brat he is!
Magpies are so good at being annoying, but I still admire them.
Wonderful view of all the feather groupings. The flared red tail is perfect. Thanks so much.
You know what drew my eye. And what a fine pair of britches it was. Well, what drew my eyes first…
Another incredible sequence.
And yes, hunkering down for holiday weekends is the only way to go.
Yup, I thought of you EC when I was processing that first shot which shows off the britches so well.
Fire danger is extreme here in Montana. I’ve never seen it so dry for so long. And the temp continues to hover in the 90’s and flirt with 100.
Powers that be are currently deciding whether to forbid fireworks over the Fourth, and I pray they do!
Montana is a tinderbox right now.
Today’s blog is really interesting. I could watch magpies for hours! They breed in our yard and their antics are certainly wily! Great shots!
“Montana is a tinderbox right now”
I know it is, Jane, and that has me very worried. If I were king of the world fireworks would be permanently banned.
Neat sequence. My favorite is the take-off shot near the bottom. Now in Colorado, I’m learning I’m learning that the Magpies can be pretty brazen. Watching them is a new experience for me.
I hope you’re enjoying the magpies, Dave. I do. A lot.
That poor hawk! What a life…we know that goes on all the time. Adrenaline or some similar hormone must knocked all the sense put of these smaller birds to take on a bird of prey that is so much bigger than they are. The magpie in the last frame is demonstrating such a “maxi menacing” flight pose!!! These are amazing shots!!! (i don’t seem to be able to view or comment on ANY of your shots without using the word “amazing”—there’s a reason for that!)….
The life of a raptor is a tough one in a variety of ways, isn’t it, Patty? But then the other birds don’t have it particularly easy either. They all do what they have to do to survive. Thank you.
Another great series to start my day, Ron!! Both birds are beautiful & the colors in the hawk’s tail are stunning. If these are examples of the wildlife in the Centennial Valley, I can understand your desire to head back soon. Hope all the troublesome things that are detaining you are cleared up soon. We LOVE the results of your visits!!
The Centennial Valley is often amazing for wildlife, Jo Ann. And yes, I can’t wait to go back.
Great shots Ron, your shots are a wonderful testament to Avian behavior!!
From what I have seen out west and understand Magpies would like some of the leavings of the hawk. By harassment they achieve their end, although they are not always successful.
You’re probably right, Dick – but then I have to wonder why the magpie continued to harass the hawk in the last shot. By then the hawk had abandoned the leftovers which were fairly far away from the pole perch. Thank you.
The hawk still represents a threat to any small bird even though the Magpie is larger than a robin, the big hawk will always be a threat,thus its continued harassment. The Magpie is more agile than the hawk and hawks in the west have grown up with these harassing fellows so for a Red-tailed to go after a Magpie he/she would need to have a real nasty disposition. When the hawk was young he probably tried to vent on a Magpie and didn’t succeed. As I’m sure you know Ron, if these predators survive to adulthood they have learned and associated a great deal of experience. It would be neat to categorize a predators experiences the first two years of its life. I think we humans would be amazed at what they learn!
Love these “harassment” series.
Good. I’ve posted a few of them lately, haven’t I, Sharon?
Great series, and interesting behaviors. The 4th shot reminds me of a child complaining to its parent about what a sibling has been doing to it. “Mom, he won’t leave me alone!”
Thank you, Susan.