This Harris’s Hawk made an appearance yesterday, which is my second or third sighting since I began my beginning photography class.
You might notice the difference in photos? The first one, I took yesterday. The hawk was on the next door neighbor’s roof after I shooed him out of our yard. The photo with two hawks was taken in December before my class began.
I used to love it when the hawks came to visit. But now I’m a mother hen looking out for Red, the Mrs. and their nest. When the hawk decided a good place to hang out was next to the Reds’ nest, I got in his face with my camera. He didn’t like that and landed on the roof next door.
This Mr. Harris Hawk right next door to Red and Mrs.’ nest. It looks like he could be staring into their nest — which could bring a new meaning to “empty nest.”
I got these photos of Red and the Mrs. after the Harris’s Hawk flew away.
Before my photography class and getting to know my beautiful cardinals, I believed nature should take its course. Now I have one eye nervously glancing out the window whenever I see a large bird fly by. I’m right out there with my telephoto lens to snap pictures, which also scares away the predator birds.
My next adventure is to learn some of Adobe Photoshop. I’m beginning today, and am thankful for a professional photographer friend of more than 30 years who has offered to help!
What are your thoughts on my wanting to interfere in nature and being protective of Red and his wife?
I would be building a hawk proof aerie (is that the right word) for red and the Mrs….
I don’t know that word, but Red and Mrs. fly around our house and the neighbors on both sides of us.
Hawks are certainly predatory on smaller birds. But crows are even worse, when it comes to raiding nests. They do it for sport.
Interesting. I haven’t seen any crows in our yard, thankfully. The hawks seem to prefer bunnies over birds, but they go for birds too.
That first hawk shot is amazing. And while I love all my beautiful songbirds, that hawk has babies to feed as well. I don’t like to see it, but I rarely interfere with nature.
Thank you! I didn’t interfere until I got attached to Red and Mrs. I can’t help but protect them.
Great photos! And I understand how you feel… it’s the same feeling I get when I see cats on the rocks where our chipmunk and squirrel friends like to scurry and play. 😡
Thanks! Yes, I get it with the cats. I had a cat who was a hunter before I had Olive.
My broom is at my door and I never hesitate to run around the yard waving it when the hawks land on the fence. I have no worries about looking like a crazy lady. I’ve seen those hawks get too many birds. They have plenty of areas to hunt elsewhere but I know they want to take the easy way and go after the birds at my feeders.
Good for you! We have a nature’s preserve and a national forest by us, so the hawks have plenty of hunting areas to go.
I’m totally with you, Elizabeth! I’d shoo the hawks away too. Love your photos!
I didn’t until Red and Mrs. moved in the backyard. I used to be so excited to see the hawks and owls. Thank you for the kind words about my photos. I can’t wait to see what I’ll be working on in the Fall’s photography workshop!
The difference between the before and after pictures is amazing. You’ve learned a lot in this course on photography.
Since Red is now not just a bird but your friend, it’s but natural that you’ll try to protect him from the hawks.
Thank you. I did learn a lot and I’m figuring out Adobe Photoshop, too. That may make a difference as well. Yes, Red is my friend. He let’s me know every morning and evening that it’s time to be fed!
You’re welcome. I hope they both stay safe.
Red knows who’s boss. Stay away until Mr. Hawk leaves. Ha. ha.
Red actually hid in thick branches of trees until the hawk flew away.
I’m a hands off nature observer, with a few exceptions (mice in the house, mosquitoes…)
It is sad to see a wild “friend” come to harm, but that’s just how it goes.
I’m sure with your outdoor experiences working you would be a hands off nature observer. I’ve watched birds hit our windows and be swooped up by the hawks with nothing left but feathers within moments. I also had a hawk swoop down to pick up a quail and fly into a double paned window and crack the window. Amazingly, the quail got away and the hawk flew off.
Thank you for letting me follow your photography progress the last few months. You have inspired me to take a photography course too. I would be a total novice! I live in a deeply wooded area and I especially like the fall and spring migrating birds that stop here for a short while and also the ones that are here year-round. I’m ashamed to say that I never noticed all the bird activity around me until I retired. My favorites are the owls, summer tanagers, and grosbeaks. Would you mind telling me what camera you are using and the lens you use?
Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad I inspired you to take photography classes. I have a 10-year-old Nikon D3300. I got it from Costco and it came with two lenses that my professor said were low quality. He said if I invested in a new lens, I’d see improvement. I ended up with a 80mm-400mm Nikkor. Your area sounds so beautiful and I love your birds. I wish I had more of them here.
Thank you!
👍🏼
Fantastic photo of the hawk with his wings up!
Thank you. I was so thrilled when I saw it. I don’t know exactly what photos I’ve got until I load them onto my computer.
Not sure you can stop a hawk from doing what it wants. I appreciate your desire to help, but am pragmatic. 🤷♀️
I figure there are plenty other tasty treats for the hawk besides my Red and Mrs. If hawks get too close I just go out and take pictures and they leave.
That first photo is amazing! Both birds are awesome in their own ways, but I’d probably hide like Red too. And that’s not the empty nest we want, but the circle of life is hard to accept sometimes.
Thank you! They are beautiful creatures. I feel fortunate to get to see them both and get photos.
You are really improving! I can’t wait to see what you can accomplish once you master Photoshop. We have a nesting pair of hawks close by and I love to watch them soar. They are often under attack by smaller birds, I assume keeping them away from their nests.
Thank you! I’m playing with Photoshop a little bit every day. I wonder if you’ll get to see baby hawks? The family stays together for a few years. Our little birds attack hawks, too. It’s fun to watch. The hawks don’t seem to care