It was a nice day, just the birds whistling when there was an almighty racket coming from the trees at the bottom of the garden which are about 30 yds away. All the small birds screeched and sped off in all directions and some only missing me by a few feet.
What the Dickens is going on i thought. Then about 10 Magpies ascended into the tree and making even more noise. I stood and watched as the screeching got louder and louder.
Then out onto the edge of the tree came a Sparrow Hawk. It stood there bold as brass with it’s head held high and basically telling the Magpies to come and try it. Well the Magpies jostled it but the hawk just laughed at them. Not budging an inch.
I wondered about going for the camera but thought it would be all over by the time i found it. Anyway i had a go, dashing upstairs almost breaking my neck going up, slipping on the floorboards. I grabbed the camera switched it on and when i got outside it was still there.
I managed a couple of pictures and just as i was about to change the shutter speed, off the hawk went. I just pointed and clicked the shutter and hoped. Luckily i managed to get it in frame, just.
I know they are not great shots but here they are anyway.
Wonderful! I love birds of prey and I have quite a few dodgy sparrowhawk photographs of my own, and kestrel, osprey, golden eagle...I love them all! Always gives me a real thrill to catch a glimpse of their lives, they're so quick and secretive.
ReplyDeleteAre u saying my photo’s are dodgy! Only kidding.
ReplyDeleteIt is unusual for them to be in my garden although the neighbours tell me they are seeing them more and more.
I had an owl try and fly through my kitchen window one evening. There was a massive bang and we shot out to find an owl dazed but alive and a huge dusty imprint on the window. I didn’t photograph it at the time. Shame.
Nice photographs in the circumstances, John. It shows that you never know when an opportunity is going to come along and it pays to be ready for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith. I am not that organised though.
DeleteCracking photos Alan, you did well to capture those images.
ReplyDeletePure luck Dawn
DeleteGood photos, what lens/camera were you using? I love the one of the hawk in flight.
ReplyDeleteA simple compact Sony cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. The hawk in flight was a fluke.
DeleteGood of him/her to pose for you so nicely in the second photo! And that last one isn't bad at all for a 'click and hope' is it?
ReplyDeleteIt must of took me a good minute to get the camera. I was so lucky it was still there when i got back to the garden. I think it was showing off.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, Alan; the second one down is a beauty, and the one in flight.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a decent size; probably a female, judging from that and the colouring around the throat. Astonishingly adaptable birds sparrowhawks; everywhere from urban gardens to forests and high moorland. Brilliant stuff.
Hi Dave, I googled it and agree with you. A female for sure. It seems to like the numerous closely knit trees here,
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ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t normally allow this type of site on the blog but there is quite a bit of info people could find of interest so i have published it.
DeleteI had a visit from one in my own garden recently Alen. I also managed to get a pic or two. They really are beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteI remember the post well. In fact it was you that gave me the inspiration to dash upstairs to get the camera. Without reading your post i might have just stood and watched. So thanks for that. They are amazing. The way she stood her ground with all the bullies surrounding her and jostling was awesome.
Good photograph. I never seem to get a good shot of the buzzards and sparrowhawks around our way.
ReplyDeleteHi Mark.
DeleteAbsolute pure luck on my part.