I’m asked from time to time, where and how did you get that shot? Particularly the images I’ve taken of Cooper’s Hawks in natural behavior. Well the simple answer is, go to the city. If you know anything about this hawk of the accipiter family then you already know how skittish and high strung they are. Nothing more frustrating than to see a Cooper’s out in the field, and by the time you get your camera up to your face, they’re gone.

The main benefit of photographing birds and animals in the city is that they are used to the hustle and bustle of city life.  The car traffic, city noise and even the people are tolerated.  They have adapted to the city and coexist with mankind.  You can see in the picture a typical city block with houses and cars, and right above the street is their nest. The nesting pair would hunt, mate, and perch in various trees up and down the block and could care less about any of the surrounding noise or people. I was standing on the sidewalk when I took all the shots of this pair. 

Check out more of the “Chi-town Cooper’s” by clicking on a image.