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Native Californian, biologist, wildlife conservation consultant, retired Smithsonian scientist, father of two daughters, grandfather of four. 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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