Swainson's Hawk with Richardson's Ground Squirrel

This was one lucky sighting! I was just pulling up into the parking lot in a local park, to go and do the Snake Monitoring (we didn't see a single snake, ha), when I caught sight of a friend waving her arms for me to hurry up. She said she had just seen a Swainson's Hawk swoop down and grab a Richardson's Ground Squirrel (incorrectly called a Gopher by most of us!) and it was perched in a nearby tree. This was the best of my shots and not the greatest quality, but I was so thrilled to see something I'd never seen before and to get any kind of shot : ) I expect this was either the same Hawk I posted about a week ago at the same parking lot, or else its mate. So, one less Gopher in the world, but one happy, well-fed Hawk.

Jim (Garnite), I was thinking of sending you a beautiful, blue butterfly image, but reckoned you'd probably find this one more interesting, ha. Keep up that strength - your own and the strength of SO many people who are thinking of you!