golden gate bridge red-tailed hawks

red-tailed hawk 01 / Golden Gate Bridge CA

The other weekend we were exploring the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge by Chrissy Field and Fort Point when this red-tailed hawk was attempting a landing in a nearby tree. It was getting buffeted around by the strong winds funneling through the entrance to the Bay – the surfers and wind surfers loved it – the bird, seemingly not so much.

red-tailed hawk 02 / Golden Gate Bridge CA

red-tailed hawk 03 / Golden Gate Bridge CA

After braving the winds and crowds under the San Fran Bay side of the bridge, we headed over to the Marin Headlands. The winds were brutal at Hawk Hill as well, but the red-tails were taking full advantage as the they floated effortlessly in the wind as if hung from an invisible cord from the sky.

red-tailed hawk 04 / Marin Headlands CA

red-tailed hawk 05 / Marin Headlands CA

red-tailed hawk 06 / Marin Headlands CA

red-tailed hawk 07 / Marin Headlands CA

The GG bridge red-tail eventually gave up on the precarious branches in the high winds and sailed on to sturdier perches …

red-tailed hawk 07 / Golden Gate Bridge CA