Sharp-Shinned Hawk In Our Backyard

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:11 pm

I thought some of you might enjoy a few of these photos. Taken last week.

Attached files

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:20 pm

Tombstone wrote: I thought some of you might enjoy a few of these photos. Taken last week.

What a gorgeous bird. Birds of Prey are facinating creatures.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:49 pm

Must be really cool to live somewhere this is a common sight. I have to go about 80 miles to find any sort of wildlife.

Thanks for sharing, T!

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:33 pm

How did you get them to pose for the pics? They are beautiful!

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:53 pm

pina wrote: How did you get them to pose for the pics? They are beautiful!

He/She actually startled me! I saw a big feathery blob over in our side yard on the ground pecking at something. I started walking over to it and it took off right towards me. It seemed those big talons were only a few feet from my head.

I actually waived my arms and shouted at it as it flew towards me - not sure if it was going to try to take some of my scalp.

It flew in a semi-circle and landed in the tree right above me.

I instantly felt like I was a couple rungs down the food chain ladder - and this hawk was viewing me as his next meal. I got our cat and our small dog inside and went back outside with my camera.

He watched me patiently as I took a bunch of shots. (Canon Digital Rebel XT with 300 mm lens.) After about 20 minutes, he/she took off and flew into the forest.

What a great evening!