Hawk Day Part 2

[ajosteve]

This first hawk photo is full frame, it landed on the ground right in front of me only about 18 feet away. I already had my camera up and got a couple of shots but the 300mm with the 1.4x cut some of the bird out as I was way too close. It should have been sharper, but I think I was a little excited and jerked the shutter button like a madman. It was such a fun day...see the first post....I also need an ID on these...thanks steve.

[IraRunyan]

Good job Steve. HaHa, Now with that new lens, you have TOO much reach?

[aligater]

Nice shots Steve, too close.........you gonna have start to zooming with your feet !

[hTr]

Super Captures, Well done

[pttenn]

Wow-beautiful!
Karen

[ajosteve]

Good job Steve. HaHa, Now with that new lens, you have TOO much reach?

Thanks Ira, you're so right about that in this case. I'm in a small area on the pond and the trees line the banks on 3 sides. I sit or stand on the side with trees just overhead. Alot of birds land behind me or above me and I even had nuthatches only 5 feet from my face. when the hawks come through, the nuthatches stick to the trees like glue. I walked up to them and they didn't move an inch. Their eyes kind of glaze over and close down a bit, very strange posture and look about them....steve

[ajosteve]

Nice shots Steve, too close.........you gonna have start to zooming with your feet !

Yeah, but the problem is I'm in a chair or sitting on the ground most of the time. Maybe put wheels on the chair, and roll back and forth..Ha, Ha..Or better yet buy one of those battery opperated wheelchairs. Then I'll have to level and pave a path around the pond...It's all such a great challenge!!! steve

[ajosteve]

Super Captures, Well done

Thanks Gary...these hawks are fun to shoot. They sure were bad hunters, missing for hours, and kept all the birds on edge. Never saw any cross-bills, or grosbeaks, and the peckers were sure hiding. steve

[ajosteve]

Wow-beautiful!
Karen

Thanks Karen...I sure wish that close-up had been sharper, but it happens in a few seconds then It's over. Never expected the thing to land right in front of me. Not sure what it was doing, maybe just checking me out!! I was out there for 7 hours and they were flying around every 5 minutes chasing birds. It was quite a day...I will be out there again today and see what happens. steve

[Howler-Cat]

Wow...I soooo jealous! Great choice of lens and well captured!

[ajosteve]

Wow...I soooo jealous! Great choice of lens and well captured!

Thanks Ben, they are really fun to watch. It's a very small area and the only water within 10 miles. These hawks are at the bird buffet around the pond. Maybe 75 nuthatches at a time around the trees and down by the waters edge drinking, and alot of other birds as well. Sometimes it's loud with the flutter of wings in the air as they fly from the raptors. I will be out there for the rest of the day...hope to get really close again to one of these beautiful hawks. The lens is really sharp, and it still makes alot of clunky sounds with the IS on. I might be able to live with it...steve