HILDEBRAND photography

Always watchful

A big morning yawn to start the day.

Black-necked Stilt

American Avocet

Back in 2011, peregrine falcons would nest at St. Michael's Church, in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. This image is one of my favorites, perched on a copper cross with the clock tower in the background.
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How You Doin'

An immature Harris’s Hawk putting on the brakes to come in for a landing.
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Celebrating moms everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day.

Mexican Jay with nesting material
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A tender moment when mom gently feeds her offspring.
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Hidden in plain sight - The Western Screech-Owl (a Robin size bird) is a nocturnal hunter. They spend their days either in a roost hole or looking out from the entrance.
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With the last light of the day, this Gambel’s Quail is seeking his nighttime roost
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Crested Caracara taking flight.
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Daybreak embracing this owl with all its purple hues.
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I recently re-edited this image from my archives. I photographed this all-white Great Horned Owl back in 2019. It was a once in a lifetime experience to see this magnificent owl.
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Landing on the spines of a saguaro cactus is no big deal for the Crested Caracara. They’re feet are covered with tough scales and have few nerves.
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One of the Crested Caracara parents coming in with another meal for the ever-hungry chicks.
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The Caracara chicks are getting so big. They're like little eating machines with both parents feeding them constantly.
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A Crested Twofer - A Crested Caracara majestically perched on a rare Crested Saguaro
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Great Horned Owl flying low and stealth.
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One parent is feeding the chicks, and the other parent has a ground squirrel in its beak ready for the next meal.
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A home with a view for the Crested Caracara

On your mark–get set–go!
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The Great Horned Owl has such an impressive wingspan.
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Crested Caracara flying stealth mode.
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Crested Caracara coming back to the nest with a freshly caught lizard in its beak.
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Nothing like a good rouse to shake off excess water from the feathers

Time to wake up for this Western Screech-Owl. Make ready for the evenings hunt.
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As if bowing to the queen with an offering, the male brings a meager pittance of a well eaten jackrabbit leg.
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Crested Caracara nest. Is it just me, or do the chicks look like baby pterodactyls?
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