Red-tailed Hawk-Another Moment of Grace-SoCalNPG-Ep.48

This video shows the amazing encounter I just had on May 2, 2022, with a Red-tailed hawk in my backyard. My wife saw her first in our olive tree where she was riling up the scrub jays and mockingbirds. We frequently see Red-tailed hawks from our home in the Fullerton hills, but almost always from a considerable distance. This encounter was nearly close enough to reach out and touch it.
Several years back I had a surreal moment with two amazing Giant Swallowtails. My video of it I entitled "A Moment of Grace." I feel the same about this experience with the Red-tail so it is "another moment of grace." Hope you enjoy.

[@toomanythoughtsinmyhead]

We sure did enjoy watching! thank you!

[@southerncalnativeplantgard3777]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@cathyholden6442]

Thank you for this lovely video

[@southerncalnativeplantgard3777]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JeremyThePlayer88]

Its amazing how close that female Red Tailed Hawk was when she was on the lowest branch of a tree! And all you were doing is just filming her at the time! It seems to me that because the Scrub Jays don't fear you, than neither should the hawk! I'm sure these birds do have a nest in the neighborhood. After your wife placed the hawk's rabbit in a safer location, that helped improve your trust with her! So maybe next time she catches a rabbit and accidentally drops it, then maybe you can just sit down on the grass while your wife places it in a safer location. Then she'll fly right over your head to land on the ground to eat the rabbit. I totally like that idea! But what are the odds of this situation happening twice? That's a good question to ask here!
I loved watching this hawk walk slowly to the rabbit. I can tell she has no fear of you because she wanted to take her time! A Red Shouldered Hawk in comparison would not take that type of risk! I know because I've already seen it myself! I rarely see Red Tailed Hawks around here, but as far as Red Shouldered Hawks go, they will rarely catch anything larger than a water snake, so rabbits are a no-go for them! And by the way, the hawk you showed at 5:45 were Red Shouldered Hawks, and only they make those mating calls!