Chocolate Ferruginous Hawk

This guy is a regular in Panoche Valley but seeing him is hit or miss. One of the prettiest birds in California.

This is the area in the valley that I call “Merlin Alley” but it was devoid of little dark falcons on this day. It made up for it with the dark morph buteo.

This is where I found him. I was glad he stayed put after I stopped since almost every other bird had been skittish that day.

A glimpse of the rare Ferruginous Bear.

Eventually he spotted something in the distance and made his move.

A glorious sight that I hope we can continue to see for years to come, a Ferruginous Hawk over Panoche Valley.
Beautiful!
November 25, 2011 at 4:59 am
Wonderful photos — and thanks so much for that view of the landscape. Beautiful California…
November 25, 2011 at 1:51 pm
These Panoche shots are great Walter! Maybe I should get down there.
November 25, 2011 at 3:18 pm