Catch and Release----NDR

[Al Hansen]

I happened to notice that my Pensom rollers were acting a wee bit crazy in the loft and then I spotted the reason why. Up on one of the perches was a Cooper's hawk. I had let my birds out to fly yesterday morning and this raptor happened to fly by I guess looking for breakfast. Well, it used my landing board, walked into the loft, and evidently found a bird to its liking and commenced to eat the entire roller.

When I saw it, I went back to my Mule to get the leather gloves that I use when cutting firewood. Normally they are good enough to keep the talons from penetrating my hand. By the way, that is not a good feeling at all. Before going back I got my camera from the house and then went into the loft to catch this hawk.

It was so full that it was quite easy to capture. I then took it outside and commenced to take a few shots of it prior to letting it go. I have to admit that they are one magnificent looking raptor. More than once I have seen Gambel quail feathers on the ground and 9 out of 10 times that will be because of a Cooper's hawk.

As I let it go, I thought about how difficult it is for a hawk, in today's world, to survive. I'm glad we monitor them closely. As he swooped closely to the ground to gain speed then altitude, I didn't mind knowing that the bird was stuffed even though it was one of my favorite pigeons. After all, a Cooper's hawk has to eat, too.

I totally forgot that Pepper had walked outside with me. Guess she needed a break from the pups. When I let the hawk go I didn't know that she was hot on its trail until that last shot. I'm sure glad she didn't catch up to it.
Al

 

[Shermie]

thanks for the ealy morning pics Al, Sure is a purdy bird ,so what does the pigeons look like I can honestly say im not a birder other then yes i can shoot it or no i cant...up here we shoot pigeons , farmers dont like them ,,,I have a flock of 30 or so of mourning doves i feed all winter we dont shoot these guys ,i know go figure,no season up here,,there no so smart of a bird by the way ,i think in a week you could swat one out of your hand...

take care
sherm...

 

[Wispete]

Neat pictures Al. My uncle who I use to go duck hunting with, ( This keeps it duck related) had a bird feeder near his picture window. Morning doves just loved his feeder. At the edge of his lot was a park about three hundred yards across and on the other side of the Park was a wooded area. A large tree on the edge of the woods a hawk use to sit on a branch overlooking the park. From the vantage point of the tree the hawk could see any mice or other critters it wanted to eat in the park. The hawk could also see the Morning doves but if it flew any where close to the side of the park where my uncle lived they scattered and the hawk would come up empty.

One day while my uncle was looking out the window all the morning doves took off like hell was after them. All of a sudden there was a big puff and feathers came raining down. There was nothing more to see. Puzzled by what happened he thought of all kinds of scenarios but discounted the hawk across the park because he saw the fail of the hawk before.

A couple of days later the same happened, another puff of feathers. No known cause. Ever watchful and curious my uncle had a mystery to solve and a story to tell.

The hawk after many failed attempts changed his motifs opernde. The hawk instead of coming straight across the park where he could be seen circled around and came from the back side of the house flying low and when he came over the peak of the house it was too late for the morning dove to scatter. When they flew up the hawk would take them in midair with a big puff of feathers. The flock of morning doves went from 28 to 10 by the time winter was over.

 

[wis boz]

Al
That's pretty good "eye/hand" reaction catching that hawk even though he was full. My wife would like to hire you to take care of two hawks that are laying in wait for the many birds at our feeders this winter.
wis boz

 

[Dick Sargeant]

Al - I was reading that the eye color has to do with maturity of these guys and I think it said that red was a mature bird...........unless that's just gravy from his "lunch" !!
sarge

 

[Al Hansen]

thanks for the ealy morning pics Al, Sure is a purdy bird ,so what does the pigeons look like I can honestly say im not a birder other then yes i can shoot it or no i cant...up here we shoot pigeons , farmers dont like them ,,,I have a flock of 30 or so of mourning doves i feed all winter we dont shoot these guys ,i know go figure,no season up here,,there no so smart of a bird by the way ,i think in a week you could swat one out of your hand...

take care
sherm...

Here is a blue bar white flight hen sitting on some eggs. Father Dennis helped me get a start in these birds which will do backward somersaults in the air for fun. The problem the birds have is that if there is a raptor in the area and they happen to see the birds in action, they will assume something is wrong with them when they are doing their acrobatics. Makes them pretty easy prey.
Al


Here is a 3 burst series of shots

 

[Al Hansen]

Pete, that was very interesting. I would imagine those remaining 10 mourning doves were very alert! Amazing how nature's selection is played out.

I once witnessed a Cooper's hawk do this. My loft is built 20" above a concrete slab so that I have plenty of ventilation. One day I had about a half dozen birds out on the ground just walking around in front of the loft. A Cooper's hawk came around in back of the loft and then flew right on the deck and dove under the loft and came out just in time to make the small flock explode and then nail one in mid air. Happened the same way you explained it. It happened so fast there was no time to think.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al
That's pretty good "eye/hand" reaction catching that hawk even though he was full. My wife would like to hire you to take care of two hawks that are laying in wait for the many birds at our feeders this winter.
wis boz

Jim,
Just think how nice and fat those birds are by the time they are caught by a hawk. They all need to eat. What species of hawks are terrorizing the birds at the feeders?
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al - I was reading that the eye color has to do with maturity of these guys and I think it said that red was a mature bird...........unless that's just gravy from his "lunch" !!
sarge

Sarge-----
Burp!
Al

 

[wis boz]

Al
They are usually red tail hawks but these are smaller and I think white tail. I'll have to take a closer look. I had a crew in cleaning out my woods of the residual left by the loggers so have been busy.
wis boz

 

[Bob B]

Al we picked up a lost racing pigeon once here after a bad storm. Returned it to the owner 60 miles away. He had rollers too. My kids learned a lot on that trip.
Glad you only lost a few. I hear people over eat at McDonalds when the meal is free.

Bob

 

[greg setter]

Al-great shots again. Thanks for sharing the rollers, I bet they are fun to raise and enjoyable to watch. I had never heard of them before.