An Urban Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk feeding on pigeon - Boston, Massachusetts
Red-tailed Hawk feeding on pigeon - Boston, Massachusetts

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“Always have a camera with you — you miss 100% of the shots when you don't.” This old rule of photography even applies to a nature photographer visiting a city.

This photo of a red-tailed hawk was taken in downtown Boston, near Faneuil Hall Market Place, surrounded by streets and buildings. It had just caught a pigeon, and was feeding in a potted shrub, seemingly oblivious to the crowd that gathered around it. I can think of few photo opportunities that have been more unexpected.