Accident on I-5
Oil on Canvas
30" x 40"
2020
30" x 40"
2020
Red-tailed Hawks and Barn Owls are two bird species that are frequently found hunting on I-5. These birds of prey both take advantage of the rodents that live in the artificial grasslands at the shoulders and median strips. In Washington, “Red-tailed Hawks were first documented in Seattle after the I-5 freeway opened in the mid-1960s.” A member of the Klamath Bird Observatory Board of Directors, Harry Fuller, stated that Red-tailed Hawks are especially drawn to I-5 because “compared to plunging through tall weeds, it's easier for hawks to hunt rodents in the mown grass on the sides of the interstate and in-between the north and southbound lanes” (Mail Tribune 2014). Due to differences in fundamental biology, however, the owls and the hawks end up experiencing alarmingly different fates.
A study performed in Southern California revealed that hawks preferred perching and nesting on power lines even when trees were more available. The study noted that “...[Red-tailed Hawk] nests on towers supposedly experience greater cooling in hot environments due to increased openness around the nest (Williams and Colson 1989). In addition the beams and latticework of powerline towers provide secure nest-anchors against extreme winds (cf. Gilmer and Wiehe 1977),” which offers one explanation as to why the hawks prefer this proximity to highways (Knight et al. 1993).
While hawks and most other diurnal birds of prey are capable of fast decision-making and maneuvering which allows them to avoid fast-moving cars, owls are nocturnal and have adapted to hunt prey using silence, not speed. Barn owls fly low to the ground and are well-adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle, which means they have extremely light-sensitive eyes. Unfortunately, even though their prey is more concentrated near roadways, Barn Owls are still stunned by road lighting and unable to interpret the blinding lights of fast-moving vehicles. A large percentage of Barn Owls are lost annually to vehicle collisions, while Red-tailed Hawks thrive overall in the very same habitat. My painting juxtaposes the benefits and drawbacks of roadways experienced by these two top predators.
A study performed in Southern California revealed that hawks preferred perching and nesting on power lines even when trees were more available. The study noted that “...[Red-tailed Hawk] nests on towers supposedly experience greater cooling in hot environments due to increased openness around the nest (Williams and Colson 1989). In addition the beams and latticework of powerline towers provide secure nest-anchors against extreme winds (cf. Gilmer and Wiehe 1977),” which offers one explanation as to why the hawks prefer this proximity to highways (Knight et al. 1993).
While hawks and most other diurnal birds of prey are capable of fast decision-making and maneuvering which allows them to avoid fast-moving cars, owls are nocturnal and have adapted to hunt prey using silence, not speed. Barn owls fly low to the ground and are well-adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle, which means they have extremely light-sensitive eyes. Unfortunately, even though their prey is more concentrated near roadways, Barn Owls are still stunned by road lighting and unable to interpret the blinding lights of fast-moving vehicles. A large percentage of Barn Owls are lost annually to vehicle collisions, while Red-tailed Hawks thrive overall in the very same habitat. My painting juxtaposes the benefits and drawbacks of roadways experienced by these two top predators.
Bishop, Christine A, and Brogan, Jason M. 2013. Estimates of Avian Mortality Attributed to Vehicle Collisions in Canada, vol. 8, no. 2, art. 2, dx.doi.org/10.5751/ACE-00604-080202.
Bower, John. June 2020. Advising Conversation.
Knight, Richard L, and Kawashima, Jack Y. 1993. “Responses of Raven and Red-Tailed Hawk Populations to Linear Right-of-Ways.” JSTOR.
Massemin, Sylvie, et al. 2008. “Seasonal Pattern in Age, Sex and Body Condition of Barn Owls Tyto Alba Killed on Motorways.” Ibis, vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 70–75., doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.1998.tb04543.x.
Unknown Author. 2014. “Hawks Use I-5 as Hunting Ground.” Mail Tribune, 28 Nov. 2014, mailtribune.com/news/since-you-asked/hawks-use-i-5-as-hunting-ground.
Bower, John. June 2020. Advising Conversation.
Knight, Richard L, and Kawashima, Jack Y. 1993. “Responses of Raven and Red-Tailed Hawk Populations to Linear Right-of-Ways.” JSTOR.
Massemin, Sylvie, et al. 2008. “Seasonal Pattern in Age, Sex and Body Condition of Barn Owls Tyto Alba Killed on Motorways.” Ibis, vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 70–75., doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.1998.tb04543.x.
Unknown Author. 2014. “Hawks Use I-5 as Hunting Ground.” Mail Tribune, 28 Nov. 2014, mailtribune.com/news/since-you-asked/hawks-use-i-5-as-hunting-ground.