Close Encounter with a Sharp-shinned Hawk

[Herdf...@aol.com]

Greetings,

                I was watching red-winged blackbirds on the feeders today when suddenly all the feeder birds flushed.  Hawk -  immediately entered my mind, and within a couple of seconds it flew in , did a loop around the feeders, and landed in a nearby tree.

                I grabbed my camera and went outside to attempt a shot or two before it flew away, I walked outside and the bird did not fly away. I walked all around and under the tree taking pictures, and the bird did not seem disturbed by my presence at all. I saw a bird flying low, and the sharp-shinned was on it quickly but unsuccessfully. It landed on the ground and then flew by me within about a foot and landed on my back fence 15 feet away. I snapped a few and moved closer, the bird still did not flee from my presence. I was within 10 feet of the hawk and took many photos while the hawk posed for me. I was tired of shooting and lowered my camera, the hawk then flew away.  

 

Good Birding

 

Mark Mullins

Claytor lake, Va

[CC]

Mark,

WHOA!!!  Fantastic photo!  Thanks for sharing with the list.

Cecelia in Sparta, NC