I'm very late (almost 3 years late) in responding to Bob Pelkey's question. The hawk on the left in the above shot was NOT one of the combatants. It's the hawk shown in the 1st and 2nd photos of this sequence. In the second photo, one can see the two hawks locked in combat below as the third hawk flies towards them. The hawk on the right in the photo above was the one losing the fight and, in my opinion, in danger of losing an eye. Having seen and photographed a Red-shouldered Hawk with a missing eye, to the dismay of several people who have posted their criticism of me, I decided to separate the two hawks. And remembering the disturbing image of that Red-shouldered Hawk with the missing eye, I've never regretted my decision.
Hi Ron , thanks for the comment on my Owl collection , very much appreciated . Question , it wasn't a fight to the death , just a show of dominance , right ? great sequence . Just before getting my latest post of the Short - eared Owl , as I was making my way up the road I spotted a Red - tailed Hawk , mantling over a kill , because of a Rough - legged Hawk standing 10ft away from her kill. The Roughie flew off as approached , as I was get my 500 out the window the RTH took flight , leaving the rabbit . Then a few minutes later a Northern Harrier came in and started feeding , then flew off . Really cool to witness the behaviour. Keep up the good work , Ron.
