The hunter becomes the hunted...

[schrackman]

Now here's something you don't see everyday.

I was driving to go get some sunset shots when I passed by a house with a few people gathered around. I pulled over to find an injured hawk and a couple cats stalking him.

Fortunately, the owner of the house had some leather welding gloves and proceeded to put him in a cat cage. Tomorrow he will call Animal Ambassadors in Oak Glen, an organization that takes in injured animals.

I think this may be a juvenile red tailed hawk but I am no bird expert. Paul should be able to ID it better.

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

very cool shots ... the cats wouldn't of know what hit them ...

[schrackman]

I agree, Ben. The cat on the right got within about a foot and a half of the hawk but backed off. Both wanted to tackle the hawk, but I think fear overcame their curiosity. I was in a straight as to what to do if the cats had attacked. I didn't want to see this hawk get mauled, or the cats for that matter. Fortunately the owner of the house came out with his welding gloves just in time.

[WesternGuy]

Great documentary photos. I wonder if the cats were actually stocking it or were they just curious, not having seen anything like this in the past. Good that someone was able to rescue it.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[paulnj]

That's a very young hawk and I am not familiar with western redtailed races at that age. I would say it's a fledgling swainson's hawk mostlikely, but may be a fledgling redtailed?

[WesternGuy]

I would tend to agree with paulnj. Red tails do not have that light brown patch on their breast, whereas Swainsons do.

WesternGuy