19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Red-shouldered hawk got food

I was birding at an urban pond area during pandemic. There were not much activities around. When walking around the small pond, I noticed a red-shouldered hawk on the fence. I photographed her then waited to see what she would do. Then she suddenly flew to the ground, then she pulled a sand eel out of the ground. Then she jumped on the post, manipulated the sand eel to the right position and swallowed the eel intact! I was amazed how fast the hawk can fly and how sharp her eyes are! In the wilderness, survival is tough. Wildlife does kill each other for their continuity.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Venice, fl, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D500
Copyright: © liwen tao