This is one of our native hawks, it's a sparrow Hawk and a very good hunter. Seen here with one of the many feral pigeons in our area. I had been walking this day and not seen that much of interest and then this scene unfolded before my eyes. The pigeon was flying through the trees followed by the hawk and then an explosion of feathers.. The hawk settled down to cleaning the kill of loose feathers and fed until it was full. I just happened to be there at the right time, with my camera, other people were about but had not noticed it at all. I often seen to do this, I suppose it is luck of the draw and being aware of what is going on around me.
Tom posted some of these pictures a while back on Wiggers World, so if you recognise them that's the place. This is another set of picture Tom thought should also be on here.
Thank you to all for the comments left about my pictures
13 comments:
Fantastic group of photos since I last visited on skywatch Friday!
That was great to get to photograph the hawk. That is the type of situation that happens to those that are out there and ready to photograph!
WOW Peter
You certainly got some good shots here!
A great series of photos, Peter!
There are many who are too hung up on their own affairs to notice what is going on around them, either that, or too busy talking on a cell phone.
Nice photos, Peter. I like them and was surprised that this hawk is similar in many ways to our coopers hawk. Though I am guessing the sparrow hawk is smaller.
I was rewarded, yesterday, after several days without seeing any hawks, to have one come into my backyard and I managed to get some photographs. Maybe a 100 or more that are pretty good. No sun. Drab, Cloudy and some misty rain so the light wasn't great.
I will have to post one of them this morning (Monday here).
I agree will all the above comments about this series of pictures, where they were took is next to a busy main road and lot of work units. People, trucks, cars are all milling around this area. I have walk by this spot many many times and never seen anything like this... ha! but I did find a £10 note around here once. Well done Peter.. I glad you agreed to show them on here too.
Unbelievable. Luck may have been involved in you coming across this drama but it was not luck that enabled you to capture the activity. Just wonderful photos.
Very nice photos. It's still a shame that they have to kill other small animals to feed, but then that's the law of nature. I suppose it also helps keep down the small animal population. I always hate to see one of the hawks we have capture something in our backyard and sit on the fence pulling it apart, when I see that happending, I can't watch. I realize I'm no better eating meat, but thank goodness, i don't have to hunt or trap for it, can go into a meat market or supermarket and buy some already cleaned and packaged. Although I will ahve to say, a fresh killed chicken taste so much better then one from a store.
Happy snapping with your camera. We enjoy viewing your photos.
Thats the difference between being alive and being ALIVE! You enjoy life and hence live appears for you :-) ! Keep on going !
Peter: when I was in Georgia USA 2 years ago, we were camping by a lake, and a mother duck was herding her 9 fluffy ducklings along the bank, over tree roots and through clumps of grass.
Mother duck stopped for a quick preen of her feathers and at that exact moment, a hawk of some kind swooped down, grabbed one of the ducklings in it's talons, and flew off with it across the water. Mother Duck squawked loudly, then just shrugged her shoulders and carried on with her remaining 8 ducklings as if nothing had happened.
Great photos!
Top Notch Pete.
I reckon you could show ol Womtig a thing or two, Shuuu, I didnt say that Wink Wink.
Great pics Peter. It is so easy to rush about missing what goes on about you - obviously you take an interst in your surroundings. What a rare opportunity
Your photos are amazing, why didn't I see your blog before!!!!
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