Confirmed Why My Backyard Bird Population is Down Neighborhood Bully Did It!
Nov 6, 2017 20:36:40 #
For a few weeks the population at my backyard feeders has been way down. (does save money on bird food)
Some is probably due to migration patterns but it has never been this extreme before. I was suspecting a hawk hunting the block and perching in the tall trees on nearby properties where it can watch my feeders.
Well I can look out the sliding glass doors to check on photo ops at the feeders from my desk. I was reading a book on the computer and looking out the open door every so often. (heat wave gone, low 70s, lovely day, scattered clouds, nice breeze) I glanced out and saw something in the shade at the back of the birdbath and the pattern wasn't moving in the wind like all the plants in the pots surrounding the birdbath. So I reached over and picked up my 7DII with 100-400 and looked through it. That pattern was the chest and belly of a hawk sitting on the rim of the birdbath just sort of looking around like a potential renter looking over a property.
I took 29 frames of the bird moving its head all around to different positions. All came out well exposed and sharp, picked these two. The sunlight was so bright that with the hawk in shade and the interior of the room so dark by comparison I don't think the hawk could see me.
Then I decided to put on the 1.4x, which was in my camera bag on the other side of the room. Got up and slowly walked over and got the bag, opened it and took out the extender (knocked over a large empty box next to it with a lot of noise, no reaction from the hawk) then walked back to the desk chair - hawk still there in spite of my little Jack Russell strolling around the pool deck. Turned my back to get the camera and add the extender just as Tara realized there was something on the birdbath so she trotted up the ramp to the main terrace of the lawn, hawk still there-hidden in a potted plant jungle on three sides so it may not have even seen Tara as she approached. I looked away to make sure I got all the dots lined up, snapped the extender on, snapped them back on the camera, turned it on and turned back around. Hawk gone, Tara coming back to toward the house to finish her very important nap. Ah, well, leaving the extender on for a while in hopes.
#1 7DII, 100-400L mk 2 @ 400, 1/640 @ f/11, ISO 2500 bird was in heavy shade
#2 same except ISO 2000 as cloud pattern changed and more light on hawk
Both lit by sun from SW with sky for fill light on the hawk in the shade, these shots are looking straight south from the house.
Some is probably due to migration patterns but it has never been this extreme before. I was suspecting a hawk hunting the block and perching in the tall trees on nearby properties where it can watch my feeders.
Well I can look out the sliding glass doors to check on photo ops at the feeders from my desk. I was reading a book on the computer and looking out the open door every so often. (heat wave gone, low 70s, lovely day, scattered clouds, nice breeze) I glanced out and saw something in the shade at the back of the birdbath and the pattern wasn't moving in the wind like all the plants in the pots surrounding the birdbath. So I reached over and picked up my 7DII with 100-400 and looked through it. That pattern was the chest and belly of a hawk sitting on the rim of the birdbath just sort of looking around like a potential renter looking over a property.
I took 29 frames of the bird moving its head all around to different positions. All came out well exposed and sharp, picked these two. The sunlight was so bright that with the hawk in shade and the interior of the room so dark by comparison I don't think the hawk could see me.
Then I decided to put on the 1.4x, which was in my camera bag on the other side of the room. Got up and slowly walked over and got the bag, opened it and took out the extender (knocked over a large empty box next to it with a lot of noise, no reaction from the hawk) then walked back to the desk chair - hawk still there in spite of my little Jack Russell strolling around the pool deck. Turned my back to get the camera and add the extender just as Tara realized there was something on the birdbath so she trotted up the ramp to the main terrace of the lawn, hawk still there-hidden in a potted plant jungle on three sides so it may not have even seen Tara as she approached. I looked away to make sure I got all the dots lined up, snapped the extender on, snapped them back on the camera, turned it on and turned back around. Hawk gone, Tara coming back to toward the house to finish her very important nap. Ah, well, leaving the extender on for a while in hopes.
#1 7DII, 100-400L mk 2 @ 400, 1/640 @ f/11, ISO 2500 bird was in heavy shade
#2 same except ISO 2000 as cloud pattern changed and more light on hawk
Both lit by sun from SW with sky for fill light on the hawk in the shade, these shots are looking straight south from the house.
Nice landscaping, lots to attract small birds
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But, sorry, the pool is so small I can barely get my feet wet, This Is So California!
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Nov 6, 2017 20:50:21 #
Two very nice shots Jerry.
I know a JRT, pound for pound might be the toughest canine around, but out there with a raptor, didn't you get a little nervous?
I know a JRT, pound for pound might be the toughest canine around, but out there with a raptor, didn't you get a little nervous?
Nov 6, 2017 21:17:27 #
My parents had a Jack Russell Terrier, and he was full of energy. Didn't I read somewhere that a terrier is really the word for a terror?
Nov 7, 2017 00:37:11 #
BassmanBruce wrote:
Two very nice shots Jerry.
I know a JRT, pound for pound might be the toughest canine around, but out there with a raptor, didn't you get a little nervous?
I know a JRT, pound for pound might be the toughest canine around, but out there with a raptor, didn't you get a little nervous?
Not really, Tara is a big girl 19lb. Born the runt and ended up the biggest of a litter of 5, and almost twice her mother's size. In the past she has killed a couple of opossums, numerous rats, mice, lizards and when only a year old cornered a raccoon bigger than her in the pool. Wouldn't let it out. I didn't want it drowning in my pool so I picked her up and held her while it made it out and over the fence. Toby, my wife's shin zhu and 4 pounds bigger than Tara just sat, watched and barked encouragement. I will give you one guess who is the boss dog around here.
Little short stubby legs, the Irish Shorty sub type, Daddy was unknown-guess what he was!
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Nov 7, 2017 00:56:00 #
GalaxyCat wrote:
My parents had a Jack Russell Terrier, and he was full of energy. Didn't I read somewhere that a terrier is really the word for a terror?
Well yes, I call her Tara but in fact on her papers and license her name it Terror, picked by my wife from "Little Holy Terror" a nick name she earned as a less than 3 lb puppy when she had five cats, the smallest 3x her weight sleeping upstairs and then on the book shelves after she learned to climb stairs. They wanted to be left alone to sleep, she wanted to PLAY. Better than the other nick name my wife gave her "Al Qaeda" in honor of the constant terror campaign she waged against the cats, my stereo wires and "peace n' quiet". For almost two months her favorite toy was an empty plastic water bottle. Her mouth was so small all she could bite was the neck, then she ran and tossed her head as she let go. Our whole house is porcelain tiles she would race after the bottle as it bounced and rattled along with little yips until it slowed down and she caught it to do it again. Down the hall across the kitchen and dining room the length of the house and then back to the bathroom. She could keep that up for an hour. Then she would come over for me to pick her up and she went to sleep in my lap while I read or watched TV. If I reclined the chair she walked up me and curled up on my shoulder for her nap.
But she will be 8 late this month and is now a dignified middle aged lady dog, NOT!
Nov 7, 2017 03:53:09 #
Nov 7, 2017 06:03:49 #
robertjerl wrote:
For a few weeks the population at my backyard feed... (show quote)
Jerry, excellent photos and I loved the story behind it.
Greg
Nov 7, 2017 06:26:43 #
robertjerl wrote:
Not really, Tara is a big girl 19lb. Born the run... (show quote)
Good looking Girl !
Nov 7, 2017 06:39:34 #
Nov 7, 2017 06:47:10 #
GalaxyCat wrote:
My parents had a Jack Russell Terrier, and he was full of energy. Didn't I read somewhere that a terrier is really the word for a terror?
Actually terrier is derived from terre or terra, with a meaning of earth or going to ground, although anyone who has had one is more apt to agree with your definition!
Nov 7, 2017 06:48:05 #
Those are great hawk shots and your little dog is adorable. Loved the story.
Nov 7, 2017 07:53:47 #
Nov 7, 2017 08:22:08 #
robertjerl wrote:
For a few weeks the population at my backyard feed... (show quote)
Very good hawk photos. We have one that visits and the other birds scatter. Our Australian shepherd scatters the birds
Nov 7, 2017 09:57:14 #
Nov 7, 2017 10:02:31 #
I've had Jacks for decades - all the stories are true.
Wonderful, exaspirating dogs in every respect, but you always need to remember that they are fearless hunting dogs, by design - they are stone-cold killers for sure.
If it moves and the Jack can get to it, it's good as dead, whether it's furry, feathered, or scaled.......In most cases you cannot allow them to be unleashed except in an enclosed area.
Wonderful, exaspirating dogs in every respect, but you always need to remember that they are fearless hunting dogs, by design - they are stone-cold killers for sure.
If it moves and the Jack can get to it, it's good as dead, whether it's furry, feathered, or scaled.......In most cases you cannot allow them to be unleashed except in an enclosed area.
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