Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk Hunting

I believe I have been photographing this hawk, or its mate, for 4 years now. Each year it seems to have allowed me to approach closer, now ignoring me while perched and hunting. I have a theory about this. A larger, Red-tailed Hawk has been showing up more frequently in recent years, but it departs as soon as I point a camera at it (like so many raptors). My guess is that the Red-shouldered Hawk, recognizing I am not a threat, knows the Red-tailed Hawk won’t bother it while I am in sight. Raptors are smart. If Grizzly Bear 399 (a famous Yellowstone Bear) can learn to protect her young from male Grizzlies by hanging out closer to people, perhaps this Red-shouldered Hawk has come to a similar conclusion about my presence.