Big Brother is Watching (Sort of)

Raptors - that is, hawks, eagles and vultures - are well into their fall migration now. And, as is the case every fall, someone is watching them: the Greater Toronto Hawk Watch. These are experienced bird-watching types who monitor and count the various species as they make their way to parts south. Check out their site to understand their mission and to find the areas where the count takes place. You can even watch the count in progress most days throughout the fall.

Of course telling you about the hawk watch was just a cheap excuse to show this Red-tailed hawk. Let's face it, you can never put up too many pictures of hawks. (Click to enlarge.)

No One Can Resist the Red-Tailed Hawk

Even though we've already shown images of Red-Tails not just once, but, er, twice, they're birds of prey, aren't they, which makes them really cool. Raptors (the fancy name for birds of prey) aren't as rare as you might think in the city, but Red-Tails are truly all over the place. Right off the top of my head I can think of at least a dozen spots where they're found regularly.

This particular hawk was in High Park and she spent a good minute or so posing for me. I'd guess this is a female because it was pretty large and female Red-Tails are bigger than the males. Also note that in the sun (this was shade) the Red-Tails often have a much more brilliant reddish colour.