06/10/2026
Day 160. Red-shouldered Hawk. Study from reference. Road kill is a sad fact of life here, particularly as speeding and sharp curves cut drivers’ reaction time to wildlife in country roadways. This dead hawk was a big disappointment. We’d watched red-shoulders delivering frogs & rodents to a suspected nest nearby for several weeks. When I found this dead adult in a ditch, there were a pair of recently fledged red-shoulders screaming and flapping in trees near the road. Was this a parent? Hopefully not. I take photo references for later drawing when I find these dead. A way to find some redemption out of pointless death. The reference image for this isn’t included due to the bird’s condition. (Note: no birds were handled at any time. Possession of migratory birds is illegal without permits.)
June 8, 2026.
