Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - Story

Hello everyone,
Thought I'd share a story about this juvenile Cooper's Hawk we saw a couple months ago while we were staying at a B&B in the Texas hill country.
One morning while going to get breakfast we saw several people gathered around a nearby gazebo. Well, it turned out they were looking at this juvenile Cooper's Hawk. So I headed back to the room to grab the camera.

The hawk was trying to get to several doves in a large cage in the center of the gazebo. The hawk was swooping in and was literally throwing itself at the cage. It was a sight! He would perch on the deck railing for a while and then attack the cage again and again. This went on for 30 to 45 minutes. The hawk could care less about the people watching within 10-20 feet of him. After a while the caretaker of the doves then went to check to see if the doves were alright. Well, one dove wandered just outside of the cage and the Hawk swooped in and took the dove!! It was all over in a flash! We were all in shock!

The next day I was sitting out on the porch talking to the owner of the B&B about the hawk. It then returned and sat in a nearby tree. After getting quite a few shots, the hawk took off and flew right at us. I could feel the wind off of it's wings as it flew up. Turns out he was going after a cardinal that was right next to me. I think he missed though. I took nearly 200 shots of this guy. It was a very entertaining couple of days.

The first three shots are from the dove incident and the last shot is from the next day. Thanks for looking.

For larger pictures click Raptors on my SmugMug page in my signature.

Very clear and detailed images. Nice story to go along with it as well. I guess when you're hungry you'll do just about anything to eat.

Nice series, Brad. It's a pretty bird, and sounds like it was desperate.

Great series Brad and I really enjoyed the details. Thanks for sharing.

I suppose Doves in a cage is much like live suet to a raptor.

They need to advertise this bird. I bet the place would be booked up every night.

Great shots. Did you get any of the attack?

Wonderful shots of the Cooper... great detail & color... they must be quite fearless... I have had the Cooper dive at the chickadees when I am hand feeding them in the woods... in fact one flew past my head and crashed into the brush next to me. I also had a Northern Goshawk do the same thing, except he hit a dead spruce next to me... darn near ended his diving & hunting career. Always interesting to hear these encounters.

db

Great shots, Brad! What a scene to witness!

Those are really nice, sharp shots! Great story too!
Karen

Brad...these are wonderful shots and a great story to go along with them. I'm with Mitch, they need to advertise the hawk..

Beautiful shots, great story too. Well done!

Super shots and sounds like a great encounter.

I'm glad it looks healthy, or it would be a sad story.
Wonderful shots.

He does have a determined look about him. Great shots and a good read too.

Duane N wrote in post #9214504
Very clear and detailed images. Nice story to go along with it as well. I guess when you're hungry you'll do just about anything to eat.

Much appreciated Duane, I guess so...He sure was trying his best.

sparker1 wrote in post #9214669
Nice series, Brad. It's a pretty bird, and sounds like it was desperate.

Thanks Stan, It was hungry and got it's breakfast.

Nighthound wrote in post #9214855
Great series Brad and I really enjoyed the details. Thanks for sharing.
I suppose Doves in a cage is much like live suet to a raptor.

Thanks a lot Steve. That's sounds pretty accurate.

canonloader wrote in post #9214917
They need to advertise this bird. I bet the place would be booked up every night.

Great shots. Did you get any of the attack?

Thanks Mitch, I bet so too...The B&B owner said this was the first time in 13 years of ownership that he's seen this happen. I did get a few shots of the attack but the shots weren't any good.

dbriz wrote in post #9215161
Wonderful shots of the Cooper... great detail & color... they must be quite fearless... I have had the Cooper dive at the chickadees when I am hand feeding them in the woods... in fact one flew past my head and crashed into the brush next to me. I also had a Northern Goshawk do the same thing, except he hit a dead spruce next to me... darn near ended his diving & hunting career. Always interesting to hear these encounters.

db

Thanks Dave, That must of been something to see. I've heared that they are quite fearless especially the younger ones. This was the first time I've had an up-close encounter with a hawk. They are really quick and covered a lot of air space in no time.

jgrussell wrote in post #9215209
Great shots, Brad! What a scene to witness!

Thanks Judy. It was quite an experience.

pttenn wrote in post #9215227
Those are really nice, sharp shots! Great story too!
Karen

Thanks for looking in Karen. It's much appreciated.

Shar824 wrote in post #9215241
Brad...these are wonderful shots and a great story to go along with them. I'm with Mitch, they need to advertise the hawk..

Appreciate it Sharon, That would be neat if it would stay around.

paintmblak wrote in post #9215247
Beautiful shots, great story too. Well done!

Thanks for the comments paintmblak.

artyman wrote in post #9215415
Super shots and sounds like a great encounter.

Thanks for the kind words Ken. Indeed it was.

TsPoet wrote in post #9217031
I'm glad it looks healthy, or it would be a sad story.
Wonderful shots.

Thanks Ts... He looked really healthy. I guess he was looking for easy pickings.

Candor wrote in post #9218102
He does have a determined look about him. Great shots and a good read too.

Appreciated Mike... He was pretty persistent with the doves.