Birthday Wish Come True!

Okay, so I have been dying for a chance to actually take some real pictures of Hawks. (I would love to take pictures of Eagles, but there just aren't that many around here.) Anyway, so we went to mom & dad's for my birthday and while we were sitting on the back porch I heard a Hawk crying out. (An adult Red Shouldered Hawk to be exact...thanks Marlo.) So like any good photog would do I grabbed my camera and went running to the woods. :) I get out there and believe it or not he is still crying out so I knew he was calling to another Hawk. Sure enough, I hear the other one about 100 yards deeper in the trees...but getting closer. I look up, not prepared for a picture and 10 feet above me he comes flying over head. I was so frustrated and at the same time in shock because he was so close to me. About that time I hear the original one I heard first cry out again and he's in the tree just in front of me. Didn't fly off. I hoisted the camera, applied "most" of my skills to the settings and began shooting. The more I shot the more he got agitated until flew away. All of this happened in about 2-minutes. I haven't tried to clean them up or anything, or even crop them so you can see the Hawk clearer...yet. The in flight shots are not very clear (thus the reason for saying "most" of my skills) but they are okay. (Remember I had 2 minutes to take the tree shots and then he launched, which I was unprepared for.)

Anyway, after he flew away he went to another tree where I was able to get a few more shots before he left for good. Either way, for me it was a SUPER FANTASTIC day that I have been waiting for for a LONG time. Can't wait till next time. ;)

#1...My initial sighting.

#2...he took off after about 10 clicks of my shutter. :)


#3...On his way by.


#4...Just over my head.


#5...In his new location but still within my reach. ;)


I have others that I need to clean up of some hummingbirds as well, but I will save those for another day when I clean up my hawk pictures.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.