Winter Hunt

 

I didn’t see the Cooper’s Hawk at first. Its plumage dissolved into the withered leaves, as if it had grown from the ground itself.

Only when I stepped closer did the shape resolve — the curved beak, the steady eye — and I understood I was looking at a Cooper’s Hawk. Beneath the raptor lay its prey, which I initially mistook for a small bird.

Much later, studying the details, I realized I had been wrong. The hawk had taken not a bird, but an American red squirrel.

Even after the initial strike, a  hawk remained over its catch to ensure there’s no movement left.  With mammals like a squirrel, that can take a little time.

Hawks are vulnerable on the ground. Other predators — crows, ravens, even other raptors — might try to steal the catch. Staying on top of it protects the food.

So what I witnessed wasn’t hesitation — it was calculation.
On the ground, hawks are powerful but exposed. Sitting still is sometimes the safest choice.

Generally, life is good.

Black-crowned Night Heron is on the Hunt

 

In harsh, dry conditions, the male Black-crowned Night Heron has found his hunting grounds in search of rodents or lizards.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. The American Buffalo

We are the most dangerous species in the world. We kill and destroy for our own gain, needlessly and brutally, but we can also one day come to our senses and begin to save what we have almost destroyed.

A few days ago I watched Ken Burts' film " The American Buffalo" about the tragic history of the American Buffalo, which sustained the lives of Native people for generations.

These largest surviving animals that once roamed the Great Plains may have gone extinct in the late 1800s.  They were hunted and killed by white people.  A dead Buffalo was a source of income for whites and one less Buffalo for use by natives. 

 

November 20, 2020. Antelope Island

Before buffalo herds were driven to the brink of near extinction, once upon a time they roamed the continent in numbers of up to 50 million. 

September30, 2022.  Antelope Island

When calves are born they can get up within 30 seconds and soon go with the herd but without their mother they cannot survive.  When you kill a female buffalo her calves will die.  So many females were killed, and so many calves have died over decades of buffalo hunting. 

  

 

June 14, 2022. Antelope Island

The Buffalo were practically exterminated by white hunters for their skins, fur, horns and tongues.

What happened was a disgrace to American people in general. It was unprecedented cruelty and greed.

December 17, 2020. Antelope Island

The conservationists brought Buffallo's population back from a few hundred to nearly 350,000 today.

One day they put 15 Buffalo on the train and brought them west to the Great Plains. It was the largest migration of these animals. 

The buffalo were brought to Oklahoma to their native land, their old home and gradually the population of these amazing creatures began to increase.

September 30, 2022. Antelope Island.

Once upon a time on February 15, 1893 twelve buffalo, 4 bulls (males), 4 cows (females) and four calves were taken by boat to Antelope Island by William Glassman and John Dolly. These animals came from a small private farm in Texas and grew into a herd on the island.

 Now we have about 600 buffalo, and they are well protected.

When you see a buffalo, you see life, you see hope, you see future.

Generally, life is good.

Hunting in The Swamp

I could have easily missed this Juvenile Black-crowned Heron, but fortunately this did not happen. He blended in perfectly with his surroundings and chose a great hunting spot.

It's always interesting to watch how herons plan their hunt, waiting for their prey very patiently and occasionally taking a slow step forward.

When prey is spotted, the Heron leans forward, bending its neck slightly and carefully planning a single explosive strike.  And in a fraction of a second the bird grabs the fish in its bill.

If the fish is large Heron throws it into the air and then swallows fish. Smaller prey like minnows go down with no trouble.

Another small fish was caught.  

The Heron's sharp, pointed beak is not used for piercing prey.  During a quick strike the bird opens its beak and holds the prey with it.  

What surprises me most is that Herons calculate every single movement during the hunt and it must be precise.  

Generally, life is good.

 

Black-crowned Night Heron's call.

Favorite Place to Hunt

 

Great Egrets are very cautious birds and it so easy to scare them away. Even if they are in the thickets of a swamp, you often have to wait a long time for them to become comfortable in your presence. 

When the heron above became a little more accepting of my presence, it still was hiding behind the tall plants.  Cautiously peeking out from its hiding spot the bird to a certain extent probably felt protected in the way, I see you but you don't see me. 

 

The decision to stay was made in a matter of seconds because this hunting spot was a real find, where you could feast on a large supply of food, and if you got uneasy, you could hide in the thickets.

The hunt continues.  

I  have no idea what the Egret found in this swamp.  It often "dove" into the grass and  swallowed something tiny.  Perhaps there were many small frogs or some insects there.

Everything ends sooner or later. Birds never stay in the same place for a long time. They wander from place to place in search of food, but very often return to their favorite places.

Generally, life is good!