For the last several years, Red Tail Canyon has been home to a family of red-tailed hawks that have their nest perched in the branches of a Texas red oak (Quercus buckleyi) tree. Continued Ashe juniper clearing over several decades has produced a large, level valley floor that provides excellent hunting territory for the nesting hawks. Historically, the clearing efforts were intended to increase acres available for cattle to graze. Since cattle do not prefer to graze on steep slopes, a resulting pattern of heavily wooded uplands and slopes with open grassy bottomlands now characterizes the canyon

All tributary creeks on the ranch generally flow in a consistent direction except for Red-Tailed Creek, which begins flowing to the north, then changes course to the east. This arrangement creates east, west, north, and south facing slopes, which in turn, produces a greater diversity of habitat. In addition, this watershed contains the longest creek and the greatest change in elevation.

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Elevation Model of Red Tail Canyon.
Satellite Image of Red Tail Canyon.