After stepping outside, I heard birds making lots of noise. As I was about to get in the car, I saw what they were concerned about; a hawk was perched on a street light. I got my camera and telephoto lens instead. The other birds went as far as diving at the raptor, although it didn’t seem to care.
Edit 2015-06: This post originally identified the bird as a Northern Harrier.
Edit 2016-04: The identification as an immature Cooper’s Hawk wasn’t correct either.
Great shots; that bird posed for you, but I don’t think that’s a harrier. I think it’s a Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned Hawk. Harriers’ faces are more flat, like that of an owl.
I just ran across your photos and I am afraid you are still off the mark on identifying this one. Take a closer look. This is a very common hawk found across the US, but not a Cooper’s. Note the thick body, the dark head, the short tail… And the coloration on the front does not extend up the chest, but is only forms a distinct band across the belly… Best of luck and happy birding!