Story Behind The Lens: "Coopers Hawk"
My encounter with a Coopers Hawk while hiking in the woods.
Howdy everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.
I wanted to take the time to write about my first encounter with a bird of prey as a wildlife photographer, a standout moment in my career and a very rewarding experience.
On December 13th, 2023, I headed out on a hike to one of my favourite locations for wildlife viewing in Halton Hills: Scotsdale Farm. Before engaging in wildlife photography, I worked in a professional role where I frequently encountered wild animals of all kinds, including birds of prey, but never in their natural environment.
For anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to visit, Scotsdale Farm is a picturesque and historically significant property located in Halton Hills, Ontario. Spanning approximately 531 acres, the farm is a blend of natural beauty, agricultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. Managed by Ontario Heritage Trust, Scotsdale Farm is open to the public year-round, offering a unique blend of cultural history and natural landscapes.
I was hiking along the main Bruce Trail, which runs directly through the heart of Scotsdale Farm, when I heard the sounds of squirrels' alarm barking. If you’re not familiar with this, alarm barking in squirrels is a vital aspect of their communication, acting as an alarm system within their communities. When a squirrel perceives a threat, such as a predator like a hawk, snake, or even a curious human, it emits a series of sharp, high-pitched barks. These alarm calls serve multiple purposes. First and foremost, they warn other squirrels in the vicinity about the impending danger, giving them a chance to seek cover or flee to safety. This can be a great way to help discover some of nature's more hidden hunters, if you’re willing to follow your ears!
This was exactly what I did. Once I heard the alarm barking, I became extremely mindful of my footing and the ground I was walking on. A tip I had learned many years ago prior to becoming a wildlife photographer was to walk using the outer edge of your boot or shoe to help remain undetected. By placing your weight on the outer edge, you minimize the noise created by your footsteps. Additionally, it's important not to put your full weight down immediately. Instead, gently feel the ground with your foot, scanning for any sticks, leaves, or other obstructions that could snap or rustle and give away your position. This method allows you to distribute your weight gradually, ensuring a quieter approach and increasing your chances of getting closer to the animals without being detected.
As I crept along the trail, the reason for the barking became clear. Although I was trying to be silent, it was no match for this sharp-eyed master of the sky. A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was perched along a curved branch, staring right at me.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see a hawk staring at you up-close, let me be the first to tell you, it's a hilarious sight. Hawks generally have a very stoic or regal profile, but that is if you’re viewing them from the side. Head on, however… well… this is what you would be faced with:
After the hawk took notice of me, it must have determined I was either not a threat or that its hunger was more important than discovering my intent. It returned to hunting, scanning the ground for various small animals, which had all become extremely silent and still in the hawk's presence. Using the technique I described earlier, I slowly moved myself into a better position where there were not as many sticks obstructing my view as in my initial snapshot of the Cooper's Hawk. Once in a better position, I fired off a few quick shots and came away with this photograph.
I think a combination of slow movements and utilizing techniques to minimize my sound impact while photographing this hawk are what really helped pull the photo together. Without the ability to get into a better position without stressing or flushing the hawk out, I would’ve likely walked away with the rather silly head-on image I initially got. I believe my field techniques were paramount in creating this image, and I believe a lot came down to luck and being in the right place at the right time, more than my photography skills.
After I got a shot or two that I felt happy with, I briefly observed the hawk for a few moments, waiting to see if it might spot something worthy of becoming a meal. After a few minutes had passed without any movement, I decided it was best to move on.
A recurring theme I like to emphasize is the animal’s welfare. Although the hawk did not display any visible signs of stress to me at that moment (other than some brief eye contact), I am positive that my mere presence had a somewhat anxiety-inducing impact on the hawk. To me, it's extremely important to monitor my subjects' behavior and ensure that my actions won't cause any harm, such as flushing a bird of prey into a roadway.
There are already a number of great resources out there to help you understand a bird's behavior. However, it's important to be aware of the following when observing or photographing Cooper's Hawks or birds of prey in general. A stressed hawk may exhibit aggressive postures with fluffed-up feathers, make sharp calls or screeches, and show erratic movements such as rapid head-turning or shifting from foot to foot. Other signs include open-mouthed breathing or panting, repeated ruffling of feathers, frequent take-offs and landings, and drooping wings. Additionally, a hawk under stress may stare directly at a perceived threat and show reluctance to eat.
Overall, I was extremely thankful for this encounter and for the fact I was able to come away with what I think were some great photos.
Until the next post,
Greg.