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View Full Version : Drama in the afternoon...

SunGlo
Nov-17-2008, 07:25 AM
A strange story with a happy ending...for the rabbit.

I was driving on a narrow road and saw a hawk on the ground acting like it was injured. As I found a place to pull over and exited my vehicle I noticed it was not injured, but had captured a young marsh rabbit. The problem was, the hawk and rabbit were of equal size and neither was about to give up the fight. It quickly escalated into a tug of war.

The lighting wasn't that great, but I managed to grab a few shots before deciding to end the standoff in favor of the young rabbit. A few quick stomps of my foot startled the hawk long enough for the rabbit to run into the bushes and freedom. The hawk was left looking around trying to figure out what happened.

The hawk turned out to be a cooper's hawk and the first one I had ever seen.

Have fun,

Phil

http://sunglo.smugmug.com/photos/419149360_mSmDe-L.jpg

http://sunglo.smugmug.com/photos/418686811_aYJsM-L.jpg

http://sunglo.smugmug.com/photos/418687012_WnSgv-L.jpg

http://sunglo.smugmug.com/photos/418685819_ExoS9-L.jpg
DonRicklin
Nov-17-2008, 08:30 AM
Interesting first shot, though a bit centered. NIce the hawk hung around for some portrait shots! :thumb

Don
Snowgirl
Nov-17-2008, 01:18 PM
The hawk posed very nicely for you.
i_worship_the_King
Nov-17-2008, 02:47 PM
You seem to have gotten some great posed shots, but missed out on the mid-mealers :deal
IraRunyan
Nov-17-2008, 07:13 PM
Nice shots... That appears to be a big rabbit for that bird. You must be related to my wife, the other day a cat captured a squirrel in our backyard, and she shortcut nature allowing the rodent to escape it's fate.
jwear
Nov-17-2008, 07:52 PM
i would have been nice if you would have let it play out -----but you had to step in :scratch
DsrtVW
Nov-17-2008, 07:58 PM
At least you could have bought him a cheeseburger. Since you did not let him finish his dinner:D
dlplumer
Nov-17-2008, 08:02 PM
Really interesting series, and a beautiful bird :clap
Cato
Nov-17-2008, 09:31 PM
That 1st shot is really something!

Good for you for letting the rabbit live another day!
leaforte
Nov-17-2008, 09:34 PM
amazing.
SunGlo
Nov-18-2008, 08:35 AM
Thanks for the comments everyone, they're greatly appreciated.

I'm a great one for "what's wild is wild, leave it alone and enjoy the sight", but in this case it was a stand-off. There could be no clear winner. I was concerned about the hawk injuring one/both of its wings. It was using them to push against the pavement to keep from being pulled down the street by the rabbit. Also, if you've ever heard a rabbits cry for help you know it's pretty hard to just walk away.

The area I was in is an abundant source of food, so I don't think the hawk stayed hungry for very long. Hopefully it chose a smaller target for its next meal.

Again, thanks,

Phil
RxRick
Nov-18-2008, 09:38 AM
That Coopers hawk is confused. They're supposed to eat other birds. We have one in our neighborhood and his favorite meal seems to be mourning doves. A rabbit is a bit out of his league.

Great shots.

--RxRick
Harryb
Nov-19-2008, 08:33 AM
Excellent captures Phil.

Normally I would never interfere with nature. I'm biased of course. Rabbits eat my landscaping.
SunGlo
Nov-19-2008, 08:43 AM
That Coopers hawk is confused. They're supposed to eat other birds. We have one in our neighborhood and his favorite meal seems to be mourning doves. A rabbit is a bit out of his league.

Great shots.

--RxRick

Thanks. Yeah, I think this hawk needed glasses.
SunGlo
Nov-19-2008, 08:59 AM
Excellent captures Phil.

Normally I would never interfere with nature. I'm biased of course. Rabbits eat my landscaping.

Thanks Harry. Normally I'm the same way, but this was an odd situation.

In our area the common Florida rabbits tend to steer clear of the developed lots, so for right now we don't have your problem. The marsh rabbits seem to be even more reclusive and stay in the wetlands. Our biggest 4 legged problem are the armadillos.

Have fun,

Phil
Maestro
Nov-19-2008, 09:57 AM
What a moment. I have never heard of Cooper's going after prey this large. Usually they stick to birds. I'm not even sure if this Cooper's Hawk could have actually dealt the rabbit the fatal blow. Cooper's are rather small hawks with talons that come nowhere near the power of, say, a red tailed hawk.
SunGlo
Nov-19-2008, 10:23 AM
What a moment. I have never heard of Cooper's going after prey this large. Usually they stick to birds. I'm not even sure if this Cooper's Hawk could have actually dealt the rabbit the fatal blow. Cooper's are rather small hawks with talons that come nowhere near the power of, say, a red tailed hawk.

That's why I stepped in so to speak. The hawk even tried to fly off with the rabbit and the rabbit just yanked it back to the ground. There was no way the hawk could have won that fight. I felt that if it continued, the hawk was going to damage one or both of its wings.

I appreciate your comment Stephen.