On Saturday we visited Maple Hill Cemetery, which is the oldest cemetery in Alabama. It was begun in 1818 when Leroy Pope sold two acres to the city. Over the years the “burying-place” was officially named “Maple Hill,” and it has grown to just under one hundred acres in size. It is a historical and quite beautiful place to visit.
PLEASE NOTE: All photographs are clickable for a better/clearer view!
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While driving out of the grounds I chanced to spy this fellow…
gorging himself on his catch of the day…
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I thought him very photogenic…
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and quite accommodating…
although he did eventually grow tired of our intrusion on his dining experience, and grabbing his grub, he flew into the trees.
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Note: I am uncertain as to what kind of hawk this is, so I have sent a request for Bob of Texas Tweeties to help me ID him. I will post his reply here when it comes. 🙂
UPDATE: Bob believes it to be a Juvenile Red Tailed Hawk. (See Comments below) Thanks Bob! 🙂
Life on the Farmlet 
Lynda, what a handsome fella and how fortunate that you were able to photograph him.
Thanks Lindy! He truly was awesome!
doesn’t he look as though he is wearing long shorts under his skirt, almost a comical looking fellow with sinister undertones! very cool shots.. c
Thanks Cecilia! Sinister? Oh yeah! Did you happen to notice what he was eating? Eww…
Yes, indeed, I believe it is a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Nice photos, by the way. 🙂
That is very high praise coming from you Bob, and thank you for your help! 😀
Great photos. Being a juvenile might be why he gave you enough time to take the photos. Normally they are much more skittish than that.
Nancy
http://www.dogear6.com
Don’t I know! We were truly amazed at how long he let us hang around. We inched up closer and closer until we were within about 10 feet or so, and he stayed there for what seemed like 15 minutes. Experience of a lifetime I say!
Look what showed up in our teeny tiny backyard this weekend!
http://dogear6.com/2011/12/04/clear-trees-gave-visibility/
Nancy, thank you for sharing! Those hawks sure do get around! ~ L
A marvelous encounter. How wonderful that you had your camera ready. I carry mine all the time except when something exciting happens! 🙂
Cindy, that is exactly how it goes! My camera was ready only because I had brought it with me to photo in the graveyard… I certainly never expected such a great opportunity as he (she?) provided!
Lovely photos Lynda :))
They normally book it , the second that i move a muscle !
Exactly! That’s why we (the three of us) were so amazed that he stood there and let us advance to within about 10 feet of him! Thanks for visiting Rich!
really nice post Lynda 😉 nice pictures! thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for visiting!
Wonderful photos, and you are right he’s a handsome chap!
Thanks Claire! It was a rare and golden moment for me. ~ L
Beautiful hawk! I don’t really like to see them visit my backyard (birdfeeders) but there is something about them that one can’t help being in awe of.