Monday, August 29, 2011

A Little Privacy, Please?

A hawk lives in Long Hollow. 



I recognize his call 



and every so often even catch a glimpse of him soaring above the creek



 or perched high on a telephone pole, watching for prey. 



This is not that hawk.



I've tried time and again without success to capture a photo of him. 



It never occurred to me that the best spot for photographing a hawk wasn't out along our dirt road, 



but rather just inside the sliding glass door looking out into my parents' suburban back yard.



Specifically at their bird bath.



Go figure.



But I'm not complaining.



And I don't think he cared about my paparazzi-ism, either, 




considering how long he stayed in that bath, splishing and splashing, 
despite me blatantly snapping away.



Other than obviously dirty, I don't know what kind of hawk this is... 



perhaps a Cooper's? 



Anyone know?

Linking up with..


focus52
The Creative Exchange

18 comments:

  1. Sure looks like one.. and a beauty at that. Fine photos, Barbara... particularly since they're taken through glass.

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  2. Bravo! Bravo! And you even had the safety of being indoors! Fantastic photos and I just love the first two where he's staring straight at you, especially the first with his/her legs spread apart. I guess even the birds get tired of being dry and dirty! Looks like he was really enjoying it!

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  3. Barbara, you got some absolutely amazing shots of this beautiful bird!

    Thank you so much for sharing this today at The Creative Exchange.

    Have a wonderful evening!

    lisa.

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  4. Well how fun for you that you were able to capture all these incredible shots!!

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  5. Amazing that you were able to catch these shots Barbara! Way to go! And yes, it is a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. When it gets to be an adult it's eyes will turn red instead of yellow, the streaks on his chest will change to horizontal barring and he will lose the white spots on the top of his wings. So, you really caught him when he looks more interesting. Also, being a juvenile might explain why he was less inhibited at the bird bath :) I have Cooper's Hawks flying over my bird feeders all the time looking for an easy meal. I think I'll get a bird bath now...maybe I'll get lucky ;) lol.

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  6. Lovely pictures and awesome photography.

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  7. Thanks everyone! It was lucky timing, for sure. Liz, thanks for all the background info on Cooper's Hawks. I'm so excited that I even identified him!!

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  8. What amazing photos you got! I guess hawks get dirty, too, but I've never seen one in a bird bath. I would say it's a Cooper's or Sharp shinned.

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  9. Wow, I never would thought a hawk would even use a bird bath - amazing shots!
    We have two screech owls who live in our backyard...somewhere. I've never seen them, but their raucous screeching in the night confirms they're out there!

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  10. Gosh ~ I've never seen a hawk splashing in a bird bath before ~ excellent terrific shots Barbara!!
    xo Catherine

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  11. i love that first shot. well, they are all great :)

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  12. What a fantastic series of photos! Great job!

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  13. how great that you got this series!!! love it!

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  14. Followed a link from the Graphics Fairy's blog and I'm so glad to have stopped by. This is a wonderful series of photographs. How lucky you are to have experienced such a moment, and how lucky we are that you were able to share it. Well done! x

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  15. Thanks, everyone! Sometimes it's all about timing and I got lucky!

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  16. Wow, what cool shots. And how cool to have a hawk visit the watering hole!

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  17. Been checking out all your photos...these ones of the hawk having a bath are just amazing! you are really such a talented woman! love seeing your photos!
    xo

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