



I saw this majestic red-shouldered hawk while I was wandering the hiking trails at Oakland Nature Preserve. The hawk was perched right above me, so I took some decent photos. However, several bikers on the West Orange Trail stopped to take a look and the hawk decided enough was enough and took off. According to the Audubon Field Guide, the red-shouldered hawk is “A hawk of the woodlands, often heard before it is seen. The clear whistled calls of this hawk are conspicuous, especially in spring; in the east, Blue Jays often give a near-perfect imitation of this call. Over much of eastern North America the Red-shoulder has become uncommon, sticking closely to the remaining forests. Populations in Florida and California are often more visible, perhaps adapting better to open habitats.”