Blizzard Kite

The Harlan’s subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk pass through southern Canada in the fall on the way from their Arctic breeding grounds to their winter ranges in the Southern United States. This individual’s migration was interrupted by a blizzard that moved through central Alberta in mid-October. I spent over three hours watching this hawk hover and exhibit “kiting” behavior over the cliffs as it searched for a meal to refuel for the long migration ahead. The combination of wing position that hid the hawks head and extreme weather made this frame a favorite image for the sense of mystery it evokes. For me, the bird truly resembles a kite in a blizzard.