Nice to hear from you Joe. A couple of years ago I saw a totally different scenario. A Mourning Dove flew blithely toward a snag, intending to perch on a dry branch new the top. As it started backwinging to land, the dove noticed that a Cooper's Hawk, a notorious bird hunter, was perched on a branch just inches from where it was going to land. Without landing, the dove twisted 180 degrees in the air and dropped quickly down toward the ground and out of sight of the Cooper's Hawk. Ah, Nature! Wonderous and diverse.

Thanks, Jeff. I was out this morning and got some fun shots of Great Horned Owl and its 2 owlets. Sometimes, you just have to get out there and see what comes your way...like the hawk photo. Have a great week. jak

Rockdog, thanks for the kind words. Happy you appreciate the shot. jak

Thanks, Sinewsworn for the kind comment. Have a great week. jak

Much thanks, kpmac. Glad I had my camera and lens back from the shop. Hope you have a great week. jak

Thanks, Manglesphoto. Lucky but it takes some luck to capture some pics. jak

Thanks, Mike. Nature is always wonderfully surprising. Jak

I’m sure that would have been a painful meeting if the Hawk had made contact. In Finland last Summer, I was attacked by a Tern while crossing a bridge. Nice sharp poke at my head. I just got too close. Thanks for the message. jak

Our local resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks usually perches in this snag the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve, but since they are currently nesting, only one was there Friday morning. Snapped from around 250-300 feet away using a Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200-500 zoom. I have to laugh every time I look at this with the Red-tailed Hawk craning its neck to look down at the House Finch perched below. It's as if the hawk is thinking, "What are you doing there? Don't you know I'm a big, fierce predator?" while the finch is thinking, "Hey, I'm small and fast. If he moves any closer I'll just fly away. Meh!"

(Download)

Very nice selection, Mike. Thanks for sharing.

Ann,

Thanks for the kind support and encouragement. I enjoy birding and photography and sharing the results with others adds to the fun. Glad you enjoyed my efforts. Have a great Spring. jak

Manglesphoto,
Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the positive support. Have a great Spring. jak

Thank you very much, photophore. I appreciate the kind words and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. jak

Yes, I would too. They are really quite remarkable in their ability to perch on the cactus. While they land on other plants too, they always have to protection of the cactus to hide and nest in. Have a great weekend and start to Spring. jak

Much appreciated, kpmac. Hope all is well and that you have a wonderful weekend and a great start to Spring. jak