If the hawk had not been disturbed by something, it likely would have carried away the carcass. The wing spreading is to shield the kill from other prying raptor and scavenger eyes. I watched a local red-tail hawk grab a squirrel from the trunk of a tree. However, the hawk was only slightly larger than the squirrel and could not keep it aloft.. Squirrel was dropped, I drove over it, the hawk retrieved the now roadkill and carried it to the roadside for munching.

Cool shots!!

1987 Raider - Roxy
1988 Mighty Max 2.6L Turbo - Pearl
1997 Mountaineer V8 - Freddy
2000 Excursion V10 - Freya