Pair of Red-shouldered Hawks

 

This past March, it was shortly after sunrise when I spotted this pair of Red-shouldered Hawks perched alongside the road.

Always a treat to capture a pair together, I quickly pulled over and walked back.

 

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Red-shouldered Hawks (male on left, female on right)

 

The male was focused on the marsh below them, and suddenly dove.  I stayed with the female to see what she would do.  She remained motionless, except for just a downward tilt of her head to watch her mate in action.

 

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Female Red-shouldered Hawk watching her mate on the ground

(These photos were taken along the Tamiami Trail (US 41) that passes through the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.)