I was mowing my lawn a couple of nights ago when a pair of hawks swooped by about 20’ away and only 5’ or 6’ above the ground and then flew up high in the trees across the street. A few minutes later one landed on the telephone cable about 16’ off the ground just across the street. I killed the mower and moved in for a better look. Whatever type it was I had never seen it before. I ran to house and got my wife. We both admired this beautiful bird of prey. The I thought, “you don’t suppose it would stay there long enough for me to run into house change the lens and get some shots.” Well, the hawk stayed. The longest glass I have is the mediocre EF 75-300 mm. I knew I had to get close so I got right up to edge of the street.
The hawk stayed on this perch for about 7 minutes! I have been wrong about hawk ID. The hawk took off and landed again on the same cable about 200’ down the street facing the opposite direction. Ahh, It was a immature Red Shouldered Hawk.
We have other species of hawks around but, they are usually flying high or perching very high in the trees. Any ID is all but impossible with the naked eye. Once I saw one fairly close and it looked like a Broad-Winged Hawk.
Canon T6, EF 75-300 IS USM.
Go Ahead - Take my picture
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How about a profile?
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I’m leaving now!
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Now can you tell what I am?
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One last shot before I leave.
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The hawk landed on the CTV/Tel cable visible about 16’ above the road
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You must be doing something right, you got some really great shots! Getting shots like this is not luck, it is where preparation meets opportunity!
Did the grass ever get finished ?🤣 Would have loved to get those shots. Would have said screw the grass now I'll get back to it , wonderful shots 👏
You can tell from the mowing pattern that you had your eyes on the sky.
Thank you all for you replies!! AND, yes I had just finished the lawn - with a rear tire just about flat (darn). My wife and I have another bird thing going on. Last year I photo documented a pair of Cardinals that decided to raise a brood under our patio umbrella. Well, they or maybe another pair are back. The first nesting was not successful - something sole the eggs. This is their second nesting. She laid 3 eggs and there are only two now. We expect chicks anytime. She has been on the nest for about 13 days and the eggs should be ready to hatch. The only way I get a shot of the eggs is my iPhone held over the nest.
Canon 77D, EF-S 18-135 NANO
Great shots ... hope both of the remaining eggs hatch. Thanks for sharing.
Cardinal Update:
The eggs must have hatched last night or very early this morning. Notice; no remnants of the shells.
You show what is possible when you're not traveling 👍
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