As you know I’ve been spending quite a bit of time watching the birds outside my window. They fly in and out all day long. But when they fly out all at once in a rush…
That gets my attention.
This immature Swainson’s Hawk flew in Tuesday afternoon. At least that’s what I think it was. Please feel free to correct me.
After sitting by the bird feeders long enough for four photos it dropped to the ground almost out of sight. Couldn’t tell what, if anything, it found.
All part of the circle of life.
Definitely a young bird, but I'd lean more toward thinking it's a sharp-shinned hawk…long tail and regular vertical striping on the chest. Can't really tell its size from the photo, but sharp-shins are right at home buzzing in and out of trees to pluck a small bird snack. 🙂
Great hawk captures Gaelyn. I so seldom see any around here.
Great capture! And yes, it is all nature's way of doing things.
Great photos. It amazes me how quickly the little birds vanish if there is a bird of prey around. Diane
beautiful shots, gaelyn!
LOVE hawks!
have a lovely weekend!
betty xo
Great pictures. Hawks have to work hard for their meals and it is part of the circle of life.
I have some kind of hawk who has taken up residence in the telephone poll in our back yard. He occasionally catches a dove and I find the feathers…but, it has to eat, too!
Gaelyn, Sharpies and coopers can be so hard to tell apart but I have to say that my first impression was also a sharp-shinned. Whichever it was, it still was an amazing sight to see. When my feeders empty so quickly, the first thing I look for is a hawk. I have found may a hawk in this way.
We have a bird feeder that ought to be called a hawk feeder….
Awesome capture. Exciting to see a bird of prey swoop in and actually photograph it!
I've had a Shrike grab a little Redpoll from my feeders and it made me feel like I had a baiting station set up, but as you say it's all part of life and nature, and before very long all the Redpolls were back at the feeder as if nothing had happened. People tend to give human emotions to animals, and it just isn't there. To them it's all a matter of survival and the food at the feeders helps that happen.
Lovely pictures.
Your young hawk is adorable even if it does want eat your bird feeder birdies. We are having colder and wetter than usual winter weather here, but no snow like you have.
Amazing photo. I defer to those who know better what kind of hawk it is but we have one that visits our feeder. He lands on son's trampoline and watches the feeder. I haven't seem him get a bird yet. The squirrels don't run off but they stop and watch him closely, and it watches them, and then the hawk flies off.
I've never seen this particular hawk before so I wouldn't know but your photos are great.
We have a gorgeous hawk that lives somewhere near by. We often hear him (or her or them) screaming as he sails overhead, riding the air currents. Someone told me ours was a red-tailed hawk so I'm going with that. But I haven't been able to capture a picture of him. They are magnificent birds and I'm glad you got this chance for a more upclose and personal visit with your visitor.
(Ms) Ernie
gorgeous captures of this wonderful bird. when i have had them hanging around bird feeders they were looking to feed on the tiny birds….
If I were a bird, I'd have flown the coop, too.
Your "bird study" seems to be quite interesting. I've been so busy the last week that I haven't had chance to visit.
Nice pics, GL.
Ah the year of the Mothers. Mine left yesterday to seek life elsewhere . She was 95. Peace. MB
So far I haven't seen any hawks hunting near my feeder this season but I realize the feeders also serve as hawk feeders.
Cool Visitor to your Garden! Nice captures.
That was one intense hawk. Just look at those eyes. Great images, Gaelyn, of a miraculous moment in our natural world.
Whatever he/she is it matter none… it's just great to have a raptor in your back garden!
Hope it doesn't stay around too long though… you may loose all the other feathered friends… 🙂