Great Lakes region, USA. March 2026.

Oly E-M1 @ 275mm, f/8, 1/1600s, ISO 320.

Edited in darktable.

I’m glad to see a bird of prey. I don’t see them often enough IMO. This queen was flying up and down the river bank looking for some pigeons I’m sure. She’ll be eating well, we have a ton of them.

Fun fact: medieval falconers used to refer to them as lady hawks and noblewomen would use them to hunt larks.

Bonus cardinal near his peak vibrant plumage. Too far away and soft for its own post.