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Happy Trails, Peon

All good things are wild and free. ―Henry David Thoreau

At the beginning of what would be a 10-12 mile hike through the SWA system, along the Owahee Trail (near Grassy Waters Preserve) in northern Palm Beach County, this curious and bold fellow — majestic and magnificent, always — offered a steady and seemingly condescending gaze.

May your weekends be as wild and free as this beautiful creature!!

Red-shouldered Hawk, SWA Trail System, Florida

Sorry Mr. Red-shouldered Hawk — we simply cannot compete with that poise

40 Comments Post a comment
  1. marilyn behar lerman #

    Hi Christina! Your are a wonderful writer and photographer. The blog is beautiful and informative!

    May 3, 2013
    • Hi Marilyn!!

      You’re so very kind… THANK you! 🙂

      May 3, 2013
  2. Beautiful photo!

    May 3, 2013
    • 🙂 Thanks! He was such a lovely, brave one….

      May 3, 2013
  3. jimbey #

    …. Mr. Red Shoulder looks so regal and so menacing to those sentenced to trod this mortal coil … until a couple mockingbirds show up and drive him into full retreat! 😀 Pride goeth before the fall – and I’ve seen some determined mockingbirds knock a full-grown hawk right out of the sky.
    …. Alas, the Owahee all along the SWA is closed for remediation work; so I’ve been hanging out at the Apoxee Wilderness. I’ve just gotta have my Owahee fix!

    May 3, 2013
    • Hahah! Fantastic.

      I haven’t been up there for awhile… When will they be re-opening the Owahee? I bet the Apoxee is a tad wet, now!! 🙂

      May 5, 2013
  4. What a magnificent capture of a magnificent bird!

    May 3, 2013
    • Aw, thanks so very much — you’re incredibly kind. 🙂 He’s just amazing, isn’t he?

      May 5, 2013
  5. Pat #

    Your capture of this magnificent bird is perfect. Gorgeous!

    May 3, 2013
    • Thanks so very much! I was lucky that he stayed (relatively) close to the trail… Just staring, staring… 🙂

      May 5, 2013
  6. “Condescending” is the absolutely perfect word! Kudos for the word and the fabulous photo. 🙂

    May 3, 2013
    • Doesn’t he give off that vibe? I don’t think he can help it. 🙂 He’s just so terribly haughty and majestic…

      Thanks so much!!

      May 5, 2013
  7. What a beauty ! You are an incredible photographer . Have a nice weekend ! // Maria

    May 3, 2013
    • Aw, thanks SO much Maria! You’re incredibly kind.

      I hope you’re having a beautiful weekend, across the pond! 🙂

      May 5, 2013
  8. The photo’s just beautiful. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a light-colored hawk. Very elegant. And I just noticed something else on your blog – the quotation from Ella Wheeler Wilcox. It caught my attention because my grandmother’s name was Ella, my second grade teacher (who taught us to churn butter and took us to the state capitol) was Miss Wheeler, and Miss Wilcox, bless her heart, read aloud to us every day in 4th grade, starting with “Little House on the Prairie”. That’s a lot of memories in one name!

    Have a good weekend!

    May 3, 2013
    • Thanks so much!!

      And…omigosh! How FANTASTIC! I love how you tied her name together, like that. You’re just amazing with connections — I’ve never seen anything like it! It’s a beautiful quote, though, isn’t it?

      May 5, 2013
  9. This is absolutely fantastic ! Great for you to hike for such a distance. how long did it take you?

    May 3, 2013
    • Thanks so much!

      Ah, the hike goes by quickly… It was a beautiful day (it’s getting a bit muggy now). Hmmm, let me remember, I’ve forgotten. A few hours – 4? But I take pictures along the way!

      May 5, 2013
  10. I know that “hawk” look! There’s always a feeling that maybe he’s checking me out for a potential meal!
    Superb photo!

    May 3, 2013
    • Thanks very much….! I ALWAYS get that feeling, especially zooming into those amazing talons of theirs! They’re so incredibly majestic. They can’t help it. 🙂

      May 5, 2013
  11. LOL..perfect title! He does look rather superior doesn’t he?!!!

    May 3, 2013
    • Heee…. Doesn’t he? He can’t help his uber-majestic-magnificent-self. We’re simply ants on this planet. 🙂

      May 5, 2013
      • Yeah, ants with these strange looking black things with a big shiny eye right in the middle looking up!

        May 5, 2013
      • Hahahaha!! SO true!! 🙂

        May 7, 2013
  12. marialla #

    I want to say – she sure knows how to pose!!!! What a beauty!! Thank you so much!

    May 4, 2013
    • So very true! I was so excited that she wasn’t spooked by our presence; but look at her, and look at our wee selves. Honestly, who’s afraid of who? 🙂

      May 5, 2013
  13. What a sight to behold! My heart soared. Thank you for sending us this weekend wishes from such a spot Feygirl. Keeping this post to show to my son. Sharon

    May 4, 2013
    • What a wonderful thing to say…. Thank you!! I hope you both had a beautiful weekend, too.

      🙂

      May 5, 2013
  14. He is magnificent!

    May 6, 2013
    • Ah, he is, isn’t he? Just beautiful. I’m so glad he was this brave….

      May 7, 2013
  15. so nice of him to pose for you.

    May 6, 2013
    • Wasn’t it? I was so happy that he stayed there to allow us wee humans to photograph his gorgeousness. 🙂

      May 7, 2013
  16. What a stunner! 🙂 XO

    May 6, 2013
  17. Wow!!!!

    May 6, 2013
  18. What a beautiful bird! I love his attitude!

    May 6, 2013
    • He just stared the entire time, never taking his eyes off us… So very still and brave. Just loved him!

      May 7, 2013
  19. Caribbean Biodiversity #

    I love Henry David Thoreau’s quotes and writings.

    May 8, 2013
    • Just ADORE that man. Truly amazing, inspiring.

      May 8, 2013

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