Friendly Neighborhood Hawk

Posted by Bookfool (Mississippi, United States) on 9 February 2009 in Animal & Insect.

We hear hawks from inside our house pretty frequently, but I was definitely not expecting to see this red-shouldered hawk light in one of our oak trees while I was outside snapping yesterday's cardinal.

The title comes from something my next-door neighbor said. The hawks seem unperturbed by human presence and my neighbor interpreted that in a rather different way than I would have. He described them as "friendly". I'd say they find us a tolerable intrusion on their mouse hunting. More hawk photos are forthcoming.

Comments (13)

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

Wow perfectly captured!

9 Feb 2009 5:44am

@Linerberry: Thank you!

Rich from Gray, United States

I am sure your neighborhood is friendly. I am sure this hawk lives in your neighborhood. But... have you ever watched a hawk stalk then attack its prey? I have, from just a few feet away. I am not sure I could use the word 'friendly' to describe that process!!
Great capture... they normally do not let you get too close.

9 Feb 2009 10:25am

@Rich: Yes, I have and it's really horrifying. They just rip right into their prey -- not a pretty sight. I'd say this one was about 75-100 feet off the ground, but he flew much closer than normal. I was dressed in brown and I'm assuming I had the look of a nice, harmless little tree.

Jeff from Pembroke Dock, Wales., United Kingdom

Stunning shot I envy you the wildlife in your neighborhood.

9 Feb 2009 11:31am

@Jeff: We do have quite a stunning variety of wildlife. You can come visit. My backyard can be a little hotbed of bird activity, at times.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

So beautiful!

9 Feb 2009 3:07pm

@Eleftheria: Thank you! I think they're majestic.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Fantastic photo Booky and the bokeh is sensational wow

9 Feb 2009 3:08pm

@Lorraine: Lucky bokeh for Booky. :) Thanks, Rainy!

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

I love that lens! Amazing clarity. If it's missing later today, I did NOT do it :)

9 Feb 2009 4:16pm

@MontereyJohn: It's not to shabby, eh? Wait -- better go check to make sure that lens is still where it belongs . . .

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

PERFECTION ....... what a GORGEOUS shot!!!

9 Feb 2009 4:50pm

@Judy: Thank you, Judy. :)

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

Lovely shot Bookmeister. The sharp bird in contrast to the abstract fuzzy branches

9 Feb 2009 4:54pm

@grouser: Many thanks, O Grouseful One. Don't you get the sensation he knew how nicely those fuzzy branches set off his tremendous feathered beauty?

peter from new york, United States

wow its like you live in a bird sanctuary or something! love this shot. such crispness!

9 Feb 2009 8:10pm

@peter: Wellll, I wouldn't go that far but we definitely have some tremendous variety, around here, Peter. It's one of the joys of living in a neighborhood that is pretty close to a rural area.