Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk at Mayberry Park

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at Mayberry Park Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm.

I really enjoy and appreciate observing these powerful and majestic raptors. It was a spiritual moment as I was walking in meditation and listening to Robert "Tree" Cody (AKA "Oou Kas Mah Qwet" or "Thunder Bear) and & Xavier Quijas Yxatol (track included below). Yeah yeah...i know it sounds cliché but true. I loved it.

He was obviously a Juvenile by his size, color, and the great risk he took to catch a mouse 7 feet in front of me in the middle of a park surrounded by humans. An adult would have not taken that risk.

Well..he snatched the mouse, he held it down clinching his powerful talons, ripped it open with his beek and then starred at me for 3 seconds and flew to a near by tree. He took off in less than a minute after realizing I was preying on him with my camera. I hope he's more careful next time.

New Raptor ID in Whittier.

On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at about 2:30 pm, I spotted a dark feathered raptor above Whittier Blvd and Hadley in Whittier. It was interesting to spot this one in what i think is away from food sources. I could not ID what exact species it was. Not a red tailed, for sure. Dark upper feathers and body with some brown and white in lower wings Hmm? Went to a couple of guides including Audobon but it can be a number of things. Tall Whittier pines where near which could be a nesting or perch.

Firestone-Redtailed Hawk Spotted above Norwalk.

On Thursday, November 3, 2011 at about 11:35 am.m, while on my way to my afternoon tea at Starbucks, I spoted the young "Firestone" Redtailed Hawk above the 605. Yup, thats him. As I recall, certainly smaller than the adult ive seen before. It could have been the male adult but his wing span was not as wide as I remembered. He circled above and around the 605 near Firestone Blvd, ascended 20-30 feet in less than 7 seconds, widended his circle, and as I was reaching for my binoculars (dropping my camera) he shot at about 35 mph west along and above Firestone Blvd toward the San Gabriel River..lost. Wow, what speed.

Red Tailed Hawk’s Power

"Red Tailed Hawk’s Power is further represented by the beautiful red color that comes with maturity. This is our reminder that wisdom takes time and is not something that is given, the wisdom of Red Tailed Hawk is something that must be earned. Red represents Power, Energy, and the Kundalini. The Kundalini is the Force that directs the flow of all other energy fields within the physical body. This Force lies dormant within each of us when we take up the ~Robe of Physical Life, and is thought to lie coiled at the ~base chakra~ (located near the base of the spine) and referred to as the ~Serpent Power. ~ There the Power lies sleeping until it is awakened via the Soul who begins the journey on the road of spiritual discovery and who is consciously acknowledging and incorporating their Life Lessons."

THE RIO HONDO RED TAILED HAWKS ARE FAMILY.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at about 3:00 pm, I spotted three soaring Red Tailed Hawks (RTH) over the 605/San Gabriel River near the Washington Avenue Bridge. They varied in size from wide spread larger RTH, to medium and small. Unfortunately, I did not have a spotting scope nor a camera with a long distance lense so I could make out any details.

As previously noted, I wasn’t sure if it was the same RTH spotted along the 605/San Gabriel River from the I105 up to the CAT Yard near Rosehills Road. However, I now suspect that it’s the same family with about a 5 mile range of territory, if not more. The San Gabriel River and the High Electrical Towers provide superb hunting and perching locations. The location this time was closer to horse stables which may provide a greater opportunity to hunt small mammals given the feed thats around.

I lost spotting them when CHP was wondering what I was doing. Luckily, I wasnt taken in for shoting with a camera, but he did want to see my I.D. (go figure?). LOL.

It's become more interesting. Its a family. I hope to study them more soon.

Rio Hondo Red Tailed Hawk (RHRTH)

Over the years, on my trek to and from Rio Hondo College, I've noticed a Red Tailed Hawk patrolling his/her area over the 605 from the CAT Yard down to the Beverly Bridge. On occasion, as time permits, I pull over in front of CAT and along its perimeter road, pull out my spotting scope, and watch it circle and glide in flight. I wonder if it’s the same one, since their life expectancy is 21 years in the wild, it could very well be the one I first spotted over 10 years ago in the same place.

Two days apart, I spotted another one for the second time along the 605 from Slauson to Florence. Has the Rio Hondo Hawk expanded its territory or is it a different Hawk? I don’t know, I didn’t pull over this time. Perhaps I’ll find a free day or two to spot both territories and see if I can solve this.

In March, on Catalina Island over Cotton Wood Beach, I spotted two playing and I was fortunate to spend 30 minutes watching and listening to them play. I had an eagle whistle and tried to catch their attention but it didn’t fool them, only scarred the Ravens. I took some pics but cant find them.

I don’t know if anyone has recorded and tracked the Red Tailed Hawks of Rio Hondo?

The sky is Hawk’s realm, and through its flight it communicates with Heaven and the Great Creator Spirit, and conveys that knowledge to earth: Hawk medicine unites Heaven and Earth. This powerful bird can awaken the visionary within you, and lead to your life purpose. It is the Messenger, and when it shows up pay attention: there is always a message coming. Hawk helps us to not only be aware that we are receiving a message but how to interpret it. The realm of symbols is also the realm of Hawk for Hawk is able to soar high above the earth to soar on the breath of Spirit, to commune with Spirit and thus understand through the intuitive level what the message means and what can be done to move forward in life.