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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Weekly Wildlife at the Garden: After the Hunt

Posted in Wildlife on March 8 2017, by Patricia Gonzalez

Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.

I was at the right time and the right place for this one. After snapping a number of photos, I noticed a trace of blood on the hawk’s feet, which would explain why it sat for so long. After successfully capturing prey, hawks often rest on a perch, grooming themselves and sometimes standing on one foot, as you can see here.

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) in the Thain Family Forest – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez

Comments

Barbara Reiner said:

This is a great photo…something similar happened in our yard a few weeks back. I was so far away & did not see the details until in Lightroom at which point noticed the one foot and had no idea it was species specific behavior.
It’s so wonderful that you have spent time studying the wildlife at the NYBG and share your knowledge and wonder with us:)