Shrike attack

[MARINERMAGNUM]

I went out looking for a Shrike this aft. and found one a mile from home. He had just killed a Cardinal when I came upon him. It was pretty odd seeing him fly right in front of my truck with a male Cardinal in his beak! He flew into some brush and dined,then started placing the meat in trees. A low flying hawk spooked him and he took off. I returned when the light was better,but he never showed again. I couldn't walk to where he ate the Cardinal,the snow was over my head.

The pics are merely to document,as they are not good quality being 100% crops,but it was interesting to see nonetheless.

He lands in the tree with his morsel.

Figuring out where to put it.

Impaling his yum yum on a branch.

Who needs Tupperware??!!

Right after this last shot is when the Hawk swooped by,the Shrike manured,and took off in road gear! I guess he knows where he is in the food chain.

[Dbl]

Whoa, cool thing to watch. That must have been fun!

[MN Shutterbug]

That would have been quite the experience. I have never seen one of these birds. Bubba, you need snowshoes.

[JayinMN]

Shrikes are some pretty awesome birds. Great shots.

[Jim Almquist]

That sounds so cool to watch that series of events unfold like that and to be able to get some shots makes it even better.

[finnbay]

Awesome experience!

[MN Shutterbug]

That is an awful pretty bird. What is their range?