The hawk is a notorious bird of prey. The hawk is a carnivorous, and an opportunistic feeder – the ultimate killing machine. Its diet is mainly small mammals, but it also includes birds and reptiles. Prey varies with regional and seasonal availability, but usually centers on rodents, comprising up to 85% of a hawk's diet. The hawk hunts primarily from an elevated perch site, swooping down from a perch to seize prey, catching birds while flying, or pursuing prey on the ground from a low flight. This image is somewhat unusual in that it is taken from above the hawk's vantage point on the telephone pole perch. Most bird photographs are taken from ground level looking skyward at the subject. The artist's studio balcony provided a rare opportunity to photograph this hawk from approximately 70 feet above ground level. Thanks for visiting and please come back often!