p.31 #3 · Nature and Wildlife image thread - a Sequel
This young female leopard had to give up her prey to 2 large hyenas. But she wasn't ready to give up completely. She waited patiently for the hyenas to eat to their satisfaction. As the thieves had enough and walked away from the prey while dragging their bulging tummy, she ran back and snatched the remains. She then ran up the tree to enjoy whatever was left.
p.31 #10 · Nature and Wildlife image thread - a Sequel
This Gray Hawk is enjoying a horned lizard (horny toad) on a mesquite branch just outside my office window. My wife walked in and said, "Don't move or you'll scare it."
The hawk had landed on the mesquite just as she was walking in. I made my way to my truck — the camera was still in there from the previous day. From the front of the house, I was able to hide behind a tree and snap some shots.
By the time I started shooting, it had worked through most of the lizard, but I managed to capture the final bites. I didn’t know horned lizards were on the menu — I always assumed small birds or mice/rats were more likely.
This is the point where my cover was blown lol, the hawk locked eyes on me but stayed around for a little while longer to clean it's beak.
05 Sony A1+400-800 by hatch1921, on Flickr
Key Identifiers:
Slate-gray plumage on back and wings
Fine barring on the underparts
Broad black-and-white banded tail
Yellow legs and cere (the fleshy part above the beak)
Typically perches low in riparian areas, especially near cottonwoods or mesquites
Common Range:
Found in southeastern Arizona, southern Texas, and parts of Mexico
Prefers desert riparian woodlands.
