Yesterday I posted one of my Red-tailed Hawks to my FaceBook page. In doing so, I was reminded that it had been a long time since I had blogged about raptors of any kind. So today, I decided to go back through my archives. I found a few that I don’t think I have ever posted, some that I hadn’t edited yet, and a few of my favorites.
I will begin with fore-mentioned Red-tailed Hawk. It was taken a few years ago while on my way to Ballinger, Texas. He was in the grass on the left side of the highway. I pulled to the right and stopped and managed to get the photo as he was leaving the ground.
Red-tailed Hawk
This next photo of the Zone-tailed Hawk, I got just this morning as I was driving through Spring Creek Park near Lake Nasworthy. I was lucky indeed as sightings of the Zone-tails are very rare around this area of the state. I do believe I interrupted his meal of a fresh caught ground squirrel.
Zone-tailed Hawk with fresh catch.
Next is a Cooper’s Hawk that I captured a few years ago in Big Bend National Park.
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks are difficult to discern between the two species. I believe the next image is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Notice the Cooper’s (above), has a slightly flattish head, where the Sharp-shinned’s head is a bit more rounder. I may get letters about this, but the sure way to see the difference is you can see the birds next to each other. The Cooper’s will be the larger.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
People don’t think the Greater Roadrunner as a raptor, but he is definitely a voracious carnivore, as this next photo will show. This image is pictured on the cover of my book, “Birds, Beasts, and Buttes”.
Great Roadrunner
Another Red-tailed Hawk….
Red-tailed Hawk
More Raptors……
Osprey
Young Great-horned Owl. A raptor to be.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Another Roadrunner….
Greater Roadrunner
Click on any image to see great enlargements.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Wow, Bob, I’m nearly speechless with wonder! What fabulous images. That first red-tailed hawk photo gave me goosebumps! What a great shot of that Zone-tailed hawk, too, eating the squirrel. Perfect timing! Your photos never cease to amaze me.
Wow! Amy, you are increasing my hat size! LOL. Many thanks for the kind words. 🙂
I will gladly buy you a bigger hat! 🙂
🙂 🙂
Great images. I particularly like the Zone-Tailed, Sharp-Shinned and of course the Red-Tailed photos. Just amazing.
Thanks, Lisa. I never tire of photographing the raptors.
Love that Red-tailed.
Thanks very much, Shannon. That photo was taken about 4 years ago, but it is one of my favorites. Glad you like it.
Great pics, Bob! Especially the owl (I love owls!) Well worth a delve into the archives!
Thanks, Jo. I love to back through my old stuff, when I don’t have anything else to do. I end up surprising myself.
Raptors…love them. Thanks for posting such varied photos. And of course, I always like the roadrunners. hugs
I enjoy photographing the raptors maybe more than other birds, I guess because they are so exciting to see.
Bob, I really enjoyed this post. Your images of raptors in so many different situations were outstanding. IMHO, raptors are the most exciting type of bird out there, and your photos certainly do them justice.
Like I told Beth, yes, they are very exciting to see and photograph. I’m glad you like them, Dwynn.
Great photos!!
Thanks, Helen, I appreciate your kind words. I just visited your blog, and started following it. I love your photos of the Osprey, and the cute article. 🙂
Delightful photos..I did not know a Roadrunner was a raptor..never stop learning..lol..great shots.Raptors are always my favorite…
Thanks, Syl. I don’t know if a Roadrunner is ‘officially’ a raptor, but I think it can qualify. 🙂