Elusive raptors,
rarely let you near.
When they do,
you are enraptured.
Melanistic red tail hawks have more melanin or pigment in their feathers than other hawks making them distinctive. It used to be thought these morphological distinctions were an isolated variant, but now scientists are noticing behavioral differences associated with the changes in feather color.
Melanistic hawks typically let me get much closer than other hawks and I wonder if this might be due to behavioral differences associated with their color variance. After all, it is often true, those who are different, are also braver!
Cheers to you from the brave and different hawks~
cindyknoke.com 
what beauty..feathers look so soft, the eyes so piercing
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Feathers & fury! It creates this amazing juxtaposition. So pleased you see this!
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How interesting that melanism could lead to behavioral changes; thanks for sharing that.
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It is fascinating isn’t it. There is still so much we don’t know about birds.
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Stunning, Cindy! Seeing a red tailed hawk is quite a treat.
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They are so wonderful both in the sky and up close. So pleased you enjoyed!
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They are, indeed! You are welcome, Cindy.
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❤
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I have red tailed hawks here and love to see them and hear their call.
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I love the call too, and often call back at them. It has that distinctive three part cry.
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My you really did get close to him Cindy. He’s a very noble bird.
Leslie
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He is, isn’t he. He looks like he won’t suffer fools gladly……
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The majesty of him, – fantastic photos Cindy…
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Thank you.
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Amazing as always. A few of the photos remind me of scenes in the French film, La Glorie Mon Père based on books by Marcel Pagnol.
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Hi Lea! I am not familiar with either, and will look them both up. Hope all is well with you my friend ❤
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The films based on his books will charm you. I’ve no doubt you will be hooked and perhaps even letting others in on them. In English, the book and film are My Father’s Glory and based on his life. There are also others by Monsieur Pagnol and I am happy to share more info if you like. ❤
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It is so good to have friends like you ❤
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I feel the same ❤ https://youtu.be/wGcYT77ow40
https://youtu.be/PL4vXP-urck ENJOY!
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Enraptured indeed! Beautiful images Cindy. 🙂 Their feathers seem to glow. I’ve noticed how most raptures won’t let me get close. We don’t have this hawk here, mostly red tails.
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They are wise creatures. People used to call them chicken hawks and kill them indiscriminately. They keep rodent and snake populations in check.
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I enjoy your knowledge on the critters and places you photograph.
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Well, I enjoy knowing you, bunches.
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Thank you for your kindness and support. The feeling is mutual Cindy. ❤
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❤ ❤
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Spoken like a true social scientist. Beautiful photos as well. We have Osprey at certain times of the year. But they seldom come down from their lofty heights. When they do, they might be diving for a splashing fish, a garden snake, or field mouse. They swoop down and then they’re gone. We used to see Red-tailed Hawks and Eagles, but they are long gone, replaced by Black Vultures, (commonly referred to as buzzards).
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I love osprey! You are lucky to have them. They always look a bit rumpled due to their feather irregularities. They are awesome fisherbirds!
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Yes. I do l like to watch them hunt. It is nice to meet a fellow clinician.
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How absolutely beautiful. Each shot is so perfect. I want to reach out and pet his tummy and wings. So wonderful.
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He’s a juvenile too, so maybe he hasn’t fully learned about humans yet. ❤
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Pingback: Enraptured~ — (a wonderful treat from Cindy Knoke…be sure to look at all the photographs) | Rethinking Life
Thank you sweet friend ❤
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Awesome captures of the bird. You made me wonder how close the bird let you get close to? With that fierce looking, I am sure it is brave enough for anything to get close.
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They are wary creatures by nature. If they let you close, they aren’t too worried about you, but if you approach when they are nesting, they will attack you.
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Ah, thank you.
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Absolutely stunning, wow… ! Thank you, Cindy for this beautiful series. 🙂
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Thank you more for the appreciation Amy & cheers to you!
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These pictures are amazing. I am putting birds in my next Amanda adventure (in Malta) and your pictures will help with my descriptions. Thanks.
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How wonderful to be of help! Thank you & cheers to you.
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Such beautiful birds, Cindy, and your close-up pictures certainly do them justice! I love how majestic their expressions are, too.
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Their expressions so so very much don’t they, without a single sound. Thank you Debbie & cheers to you~
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Their coloring is so beautiful, Cindy. I used to dye my hair that color. Ha ha. 😀
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I bet you looked gorgeous! ❤
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Like a predator. 🙂
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Now that’s majestic!
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Fellow blogger’s post:
https://wp.me/p8zmR5-jT
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These are stunning. My son who has Aspergers just worships birds of prey. He loves these photos.
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That makes me very happy. Tell your son hello and I can send him more links to raptor photos if he wants. Cheers to you~
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Don’t know about the color impact, Cindy, but the birds sure are beautiful. And the eyes!
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So fascinating. You have also captured their facial expressions. Wow !
🙂
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Cindy, these images are purely magnificent! I loved your elegant commentary too. Hugs on the wing.
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Hugs back to you sweet friend ❤
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What a lovely wild creature! When I walk across the fields near the house I can sometimes stop them at the sky, circeling and diving through the air. Such beautiful photos Cindy;) The feathers are especially wonderful, how smooth they must be to touch…
All the best
Laureen
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Lovely to meet you Laureen and I am happy you have these guys in your skies to enjoy!
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Gorgeous portraits of these majestic creatures.
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Ahhhh, so kind & so appreciated! Cheers to you Sally~
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Wonderful photos as usual Cindy. That last one especially is a beauty!
Alison
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Incredible! 😊
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Awww, so happy you enjoyed & cheers to you!
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Beautiful photos – Red tail hawks are such impressive birds.
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They are. They were slaughtered in our country for such a long time, but they seem to not be able to be defeated, because they keep rising, in every sense of the word.
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MAGIC CINDY, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
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Thank you ❤ ❤
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Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
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Thank you my friend for your thoughtfulness & cheers to you!
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Beautiful birds.
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Happy you like them!
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I am captured by the raptors! 😀
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It’s rapturous! ❤
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Classy birds.
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They are!
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Fabulous post
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Merci beaucoup!
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A beautiful hawk! The way the sun glints off the feathers shows traces of the scales of their reptile ancestors.
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Yes, just like their raptor dinosaur relatives!
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Exquisite. Love!
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Thank you Dani & so happy you do ❤
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Exquisite, Cuz. …and your pics do them justice!
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Thank you Paul & Happy New Year!
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zieh dich warm an, wenn du an die frische Luft gehst, damit du dich nicht erkältest, es ist heute richtig kalt, Klaus
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Bleib warm mein Freund! Ich habe von eisiger Kälte und Schnee gehört!
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so ist es leider
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❤ ❤
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Fascinating bird. Great photos!
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I am happy you find him fascinating as I do too!
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Birds are so fun to watch.
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Wow! Love, love this series, Sue. Sooo beautiful.
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Awww, thank you so very much & cheers to you ❤
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Fabulous as always Cindy.. such majesty… hugsxx
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Hugs to you Sally & happy Monday!
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You too Cindy and have a brilliant week. ♥
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Pingback: Enraptured~ | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Thanks so much & cheers to you!
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Thank you for sharing. Beautiful shots. Love the eagle.
Well, they remind me of my Talon books. Even in my books they are condors. but still magnificent birds. thank you.
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Nice picks Cindy. Beautifully captured. My favourite flying birds.
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Thank you. The raptors fascinate those of us prone to rapture.
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That’s a valid point. But I have never seen raptors in the state of rapture. I think they have an attitude.😊
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They definitely do!!
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Awesome, beautiful creatures. Love how you can get your camera lenses so close and focused to get such incredible shots that cover so much at close range.
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Awww, you are very kind and most appreciated ,3
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So beautifully majestic! I always love what you capture Cindy!
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Ahhh, lovely to hear from you Wendell and hope all is well ❤
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So nice of it to let you near and you took some fine photos!
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They are really quite considerate! 😉
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What an impressive bird! The reddish-brown feathers are gorgeous. 😀 xo
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They are so beautiful! Very pleased you see this too ❤
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Oh, I have seen so many red-tail hawks in my area too. They are absolutely fantastic! Thank you kindly.
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Yes. They are special. If they tolerate you, they will let you get a tiny bit close.
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…a bit informative
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_North_Macedonia
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Thank you for this impressive list. I want to visit! My grandfather was from Bulgaria.
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