It was cold (about 24 degrees F or minus 4.4 C) this morning and the sky was completely covered with clouds as we awaited the coming snowstorm. Nonetheless, I went out with my camera to my marshland park to see what animals and birds were active.
Previously I had identified a tree where a hawk is frequently present and one was there today. The perch is pretty high up and there is a field of cattails between the boardwalk and the tree, so I can’t get very close to the hawk. As I stood watching the hawk, he suddenly flew almost straight down into the field and returned to a different tree after what had obviously been a successful hunt. I attempted to photograph the action, but my camera was not adjusted properly for the reduced light in the field and my photos were blurry and out of focus.
All was not lost, however, because a short time later a hawk came flying from the same area and I was able to get some photos of him. When I looked at the photos on my computer, I discovered that the hawk, which I am pretty sure is a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), is carrying a rodent in his talons.
I am not sure why he chose to transport his prey to another location, but it provided me a really cool photo opportunity.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
WOW!
Your hawk may have defecated at his lookout tree and chose a different tree to dine in. Or, he chose a dining tree that provided him better coverage from scavengers that would challenge him for his meal.
Thanks for the insight on why the hawk may have flown off to a different tree. There were plenty of trees nearby, but he seemed to want to fly all the way across a field to get to another tree. I’m happy that he did.
What a thrill when that happens.
Nice!
I would think that photographing a hawk with prey in its talons is a rare thing.. good job! and thanks for sharing it.