This was just luck, RSH

Hey all
I was kicking myself today as I seriously thought about taking my 20D and 100-400 out with me to work today but I decided not to, well wouldn't you know it, it never fails, I always see cool stuff.

Well I was out working today inspecting bridges and my colleague and I were travelling to another bridge, when I glanced up and just caught a glimpse of a Red Shouldered on a power line, I only had my work camera with me (Panasonic Lumix FZ8K) So these images probably shouldn't be in here.
But I had to post these I'm so happy I was able to get pretty close.
So I'm getting ready to set the camera up etc and the hawk flies off, great so it is going to be like that then, The hawk lands on the ground on the opposite side of the street, oh ok, So I get out of the van to take some shots on the ground but one shot and the Hawk flies up on to the gates you see here.
So luckily there was a Brick column post which was part of the gates, so I crept around the back of the van and headed towards the brick column, using it as a blind to obscure the hawks view of me approaching.
I poked my head around the column really slowly and to my surprise the hawk was still there

Let the shoot begin.
A few of these are slightly noisy due to the Digital zoom on this camera and the IS on it sucks, but it was better than nothing I guess.

Here's the results
Thanks for looking.

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Might as well sell the 100-400 now!! Nice shots Allan!

Thanks Monty, I couldn't believe it.
I guess I should start taking my 20D everywhere.

Good advertising for the Lumix. Just goes to show,never leave the equipment at home. Nice shots.

Nice shots Allan, considering. Don't leave home w/o your gear !!!

Outstanding shots!! The old rusty gate is a very nice touch!!

Way to go

Nice shots Allen, and a lucky day.

Nice save, good thing you had a work camera, going home saying I wish I had A camera with me" sucks,,been there done that. Well done !

Nice work, the 3rd one's a real beauty!

Nice shots. That's one great looking raptor. Too many times, I was in a similar situation. I saw something that was a good opportunity to shoot and the gear was no where to be found. Since I started taking my gear with me, the opportunities are less and less . At least you have more than a memory of the moment. You did get some pretty good shots to boot!

thanks for the comments, Cooper, Reyno, EZRider, Mitch, Trevor, downywp and Keith.
Yeah I am pleased with the shots although I know they would have been better with the 20D and the 100-400.
Oh well live and learn.

wow-lucky indeed but you got some terrific shots! That third one is super! (it never fails, if I don't have the camera with me I ALWAYS see something amazing!)
Karen

Thanks Karen, yeah out of the several photos I took the third one is the best.

I think the light let the Panasonic down a little here as there's quite heavy smearing from over-zealous noise reduction that these cameras are notorious for when the iso starts to creep up. Having said that, you did a fine job with some very nice pictures.

Cool shots Allan! Same here, whenever I don't have the camera I see a lot of birds; the times I have it with me - no birds, well CGs are always there.