The other morning, my husband saw seven Harris hawks in a tree in our backyard. By the time I got there, they were all gone. But a little later, this guy was hanging out on the fence. It’s quite a sight to see the quail take off like jets when the hawks appear.
Here’s the photo of the hawks in a tree that my husband took with his iphone. Not all seven made it in the photo.
It’s kind of hard to see them, but my husband said the three hawks on the right side were busy eating prey. I walked out later to the tree to see if what they had been eating in the tree, but there was nothing left.
I’m excited for my photography class which begins in January and runs through May. I ordered the text book on Amazon and it arrived this week. It’s a paperback called “A Short Course in Digital Photography.” The community college where I’m taking my class wanted $175 for it. I bought it for $50 on Amazon. I don’t think it’s right how much colleges charge for textbooks.
This is as close as I’ve gotten to catch a hawk in flight. He took off so fast and was out of my range.
Later in the day, my husband and I went for a walk. Walking out the front door, I noticed seven hawks in a tree in our front yard. We scared them away. It was spectacular to see them in flight, but there was no way could I get a photo.
What are your thoughts about the price of college text books?
Very impressive birds.
They are so inspiring.
They are. Very interesting that so many gather on one tree.
My husband said they were all feeding on something. They all wanted a taste. It could have been another bird, a rabbit, or who knows what other prey.
That’s how all creatures survive
Yes, it’s nature.
😉
😊
Great photos. Is it worrisome in any way to have so many hawks in your backyard? This is becoming a gathering.
Most days we don’t have any, so no it’s not worrisome. I’ve never seen seven before though.
I just Googled seeing a lot of Hawks. You should Google it. Interesting spiritual meaning, some feel this anyhow. You might like that.
Thanks, I’ll take a look.
I did google it and read fascinating things. I had no idea it was so spiritual. It does feel spiritual when I see them.
YES, so your dim Thanksgiving has now turned around, right! 💕
Yes. Thank you!
Seven! At once?
Wow…
We’re lucky to see one at a time.
We usually have one at a time, too. But also two or three. They hunt with partners. Never seven before!
Wow…wow…wow. I don’t know much about the symbolism of birds…of prey…but your pics have my mind wandering! 🤔💕🤔
Thanks! I enjoy their beauty and I’m mesmerized by them. I don’t know much about the symbolism either.
❤️❤️❤️
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Curious EA- are you the only house that has their own hawk gathering, or the trees to support that many? I just wonder if any neighbors have this happen in their yards, or what it is about yours (like the perfect tree perhaps) that has them congregating. Seven is a lot for sure. I might become a tad bit apprehensive walking outside when they are all sitting in the tree… I’m also curious as Vicky is regarding the symbolism. I wonder what local Indigenous cultures would say about this specific bird of prey choosing your yard?
I see hawks throughout our neighborhood from time to time. I can’t drive to the grocery store without seeing hawks soaring above. I often see them on neighbors chimneys. I think the seven came into our tree the other day because of prey they had killed. They were eating it in the tree.
Stunning pics
Thank you! I’m working with my camera to get better.
Wow – that’s a lot of hawks. Is it just recently that they’ve come to hang out in your yard?
No, it’s just me recently getting my camera out and trying to capture them. Our first few months here, one flew into the casita window and broke it!
Before the days of Digital, when we used actual film, I found that using 1000-speed film was excellent for stopping action, even the flutter of a hummingbird wing. I cannot replicate that stop-action with today’s cameras, but I sure wish I could.
I didn’t know that. But I do miss film. I took a year of photography classes in college for my journalism major. I also miss developing my photos in the darkroom.
I have never seen a group (called a kettle I believe) of hawks. I did enjoy watching a red tailed hawk ignore a group of magpies that were unhappy with it’s presence.
I looked it up. It is called a kettle. When there is a single hawk or two in the yard, the little birds dive bomb them. It’s fun to watch.
This was like 15 magpies and the hawk simply ignored them
That’s a lot of magpies. Our hawks ignore the little birds too.
Our hawks on occasion enjoy the finches.
We have a nesting pair close to our house but the most I can see is one or two in flight, or the pair sitting in “their” tree. Have you ever thought of setting up your camera on a tripod in your yard and using a remote to take a picture?
That’s nice to have a nesting pair. Yes, I tried with the tripod and remote. I’m having difficulty getting it lined up. I seem to aim better with my hands, but my hands shake. I’ll keep practicing with the tripod and remote.
Great hawk shots. I do think text books are crazy expensive. But I just purchased the Colorado Flora and got it cheaper from Colorado State bookstore than it was available for on Amazon or elsewhere. Still not cheap at $80, but better than more than $100!
I was surprised when my textbook arrived and it’s not a big book at all. Good for you for getting a better deal from the Colorado State bookstore.
Insane. My daughter rented most of her books
That’s a great idea, but in my case, the CC rented price was more than buying it on Amazon.
Yeah. Stinks
You have such a beautiful eye for photography and I’m so glad you are pursuing this talent! That’s why Amazon is doing so well, you can’t beat their prices! I used to rent my college textbooks back in the day. Hugs, C
Thank you for the generous words about my photos. I feel connected to my mom because she was into photography and had a dark room in our basement.
Can’t imagine seeing seven hawks at a time. We see one occasionally. Good pics!
Good luck in the photography course. Have fun!
Yes, I think colleges charge too much for textbooks!
Thank you! You should have seen the seven hawks take off in flight together. Amazing. Yes, colleges charge too much!
Amazing photos, Elizabeth!
Excellent post!
Thank you!
Your welcome 😊
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