In this section are copies of original works of art. All of them are dedicated to helping us live according to unconditional love and compassion, which is the foundation of our peaceful means of bringing true and lasting peace to all of God's creatures, whether they are human beings or other animals.
(Artwork - 236)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
This life-size oil painting shows the subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk,
Buteo jamaicensis borealis, that is found throughout most of eastern and
midwestern North America. However, the species overall has a far broader
range that includes the West Indies, western North America, Mexico and
northern Central America. Northern birds are migratory, and their habitat
preferences are so broad that, south of the latitudinal and altitudinal tree
lines, there is pretty well nowhere within that range where it cannot be
found, as a breeding species or a northern migrant. Much of the population
is non-migratory. Within that vast range it is usually the most often seen
of the larger birds of prey. And it is very highly variable with lots of
geographic variations, and with variation within the species. Immature and
yearling birds are different from adults.
I have shown an adult who has just killed one of our most seldom observed
and little known wild mammals, the Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Both the
hawk and the weasel are predators, and may eat the same prey, small rodents,
although the hawk’s range of prey is obviously much larger, and can include
young raccoons, muskrats, pigeons, bats, and squirrels. Red-tailed Hawks
will sometimes take carrion, as well as large invertebrates, plus snakes,
and the occasional large amphibian.
They usually make a bulky nest in tall, deciduous trees but also on cliff
ledges, and on buildings and other human-made objects such as hydro-electric
towers. They also may nest within the upright columns of saguaro cacti in
the desert, or in the hollows of trees or tops of broken stumps. The weight
of these hawks ranges from about one and a half to over three and a half
pounds, females averaging larger and heavier than the males. Both sexes tend
to nesting and to chick-rearing duties.
I have dedicated this painting to the memory of a lifetime friend, Miles
Hearne (1947 – 2023) who, in addition to being a master of the French horn
who, among other musical accomplishments, played in the Toronto Symphony
Orchestra, and was also a dedicated teacher, both of French, and of nature,
noted for leading many birding walks and hikes. His passion for birding and
nature took him to every continent and his enthusiasm for the natural world
was invariably inspiring. To meet him was to enjoy his company.
The painting is 18 X 24 inches in oils on compressed hardboard.
Return to Art by Barry Kent MacKay - Page 4
Copyright © Barry Kent MacKay
Barry describes himself as a Canadian artist/writer/naturalist.
For purchasing of original art, prints and other products GO HERE.
Return to
Art by Barry Kent MacKay
Return to Art By Various Artists
Return to Art and Photo Journals and Galleries