About the Image(s)

Washington Park is one of my goto birding locations because it boasts various bird varieties that I treasure capturing on camera. I have photographed many raptors, songbirds, and several fishers at this location. The reason for so many species has to do with warmer weather migration. When the weather goes below 50 degrees, even the geese look for warmer weather.

This particular day I was waiting for my next bird-in-flight opportunity when I spotted this raptor. I believe this to be a Cooper's Hawk, but I encourage any correction from the group. I've often said that "birding is a lot like fishing". You are waiting for anything to bite or fly by. You can't get ready, you have to be ready. I got only this one shot on this fast and magnificent hunter

Secretive behavior: They often sit completely still and hidden inside dense tree cover before suddenly bursting out to chase prey.
Urban adaptation: They have grown increasingly common in suburban neighborhoods and city parks where they hunt songbirds and visit backyards.
Fast flight: They use a quick "flap-flap-glide" style and maneuver through trees at high speeds, making them easy to miss.
Lookalike confusion: People often mistake them for other raptors or confuse them with the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk

Exif: Canon EOS R5m2 800 mm f/11 1/2500 8.10.2026