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Native Californian, biologist, wildlife conservation consultant, retired Smithsonian scientist, father of two daughters, grandfather of 4 small primates. INTJ. Believes nature is infinitely more interesting than shopping malls. Born 100 years too late.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Red-tailed scavenger



I was surprised that the mother bear didn’t pull the squirrel carcass down when she and her cub visited this site on April 3. I had tacked the forebody to the trunk of the fir nearly 8 feet above the boulder. When I checked the camera 4 days later it was well-seasoned, but not fly blown.

Five days after the bears' visit a red-tailed hawk saw the carcass, landed on the rock, flew up to the bait, and pulled it down. This scavenging comes as a surprise. At this time of year you would think there's fresh meat around that a redtail would forego over-ripe carrion.

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