April
Joyriding the Neighborhood
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So yesterday during my lunch break I was on my way to my "Lucky" park where I've had a lot of luck as of late with a Red Shouldered Hawk(I'll share those pics as well). But as much as I adore them, I literally dream of a having a close encounter with a Red-Tailed Hawk. They have been my absolute passion since I was a mere 5 years old so let's just say its been a very long time now that Ive held this species so near and dear to my heart and they are my spirit animal. It doesn't matter how many times I see one I always get such a thrill in my heart, and I feel such joy.
But though I've had some wonderful sightings I've never been as close as I've hoped for a really good close up and detailed shot. Part of the issue is my camera its a lovely point and shoot that I saved up a really long time for but its just no good for these long range high in the sky or tower shots that I need so even though I take quite a few shots thanks to the mated pair of Red-Tails that hang near my work which is beyond fabulous however they are just to high up for anything that's nice and crisp.
So! That leads me to my story. My mom and I were headed to the aforementioned park and as we were driving down a main road I just happened to look up at just the right moment and I noticed a Red-Tail sitting on a lampost! By some very good luck it was very close to a parking lot so my mom pulled in and I slowly and carefully get out and try to get a few shots as I creep ever closer expecting at any second that he's gonna take off since thats always been my luck that even when they are so high in the air they still understandably take off when they feel a human gets too close but that makes for a touch of a disappointing time.
So I take my chances and get closer and predictably he takes off but instead of leaving he flies down to a strand of trees next to a neighborhood. I simply couldn't believe my luck so I carefully cross the street thinking at any moment that he's gonna take off again. I slowly get closer to the tree and he's fairly low to the ground and I carefully maneuvered myself and get in front of him and managed to snag some shots not believing my luck and honestly hardly breathing expecting that at any second, I'll blink, and he'll be gone.
Things were going well until a group of kids came running by on the sidewalk and talking loudly and he takes off almost over my head which was amazing but happened to quick for me to get the shot but by some miracle he hardly flew that far and landed in the tree right next to the one he was in.
So, I once again slowly approach him and he's still unconcerned and just focused on looking at the songbirds. I'm able to get some more lovely shots and then about 20 mins he takes off again because a mockingbird was harassing him, but he couldn't have been more than 8 feet above my head so when he took off he went low, and I swear I could have jumped up and touched him. My heart was in my throat and the awe I felt was truly something I doubt I'll ever experience again. I thought that was surely the end of my luck since he'd stuck around so long but no! He flew farther than he had but he still stayed in the same strand of trees and this time he was as low as he'd been! I was seriously maybe 7 feet under him if even. I was able to look right into his eyes as I swear, he was staring in to my very soul. I was talking to him and everything and he just kept gazing at me completely calm it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life and all I've ever hoped for.
I could have seriously stayed there forever and taken a million pics but as it was I had to go back to work so I regrettably had to leave him behind and go but I thanked him for giving me this encounter and told him how grateful I was for his gift of letting me get these shots. I ended up taking 688 pics of him in a little less hour so needless to say I have many wonderous pics to always remember this encounter. Here's just a few of my favorites to share with yall.
Still can't believe I got this shot of the Mockingbird going at him!
Staring into my soul
Nictitating Membrane!
After he shook out his feathers and got all fluffy
@Peachfaced @Mizzely
But though I've had some wonderful sightings I've never been as close as I've hoped for a really good close up and detailed shot. Part of the issue is my camera its a lovely point and shoot that I saved up a really long time for but its just no good for these long range high in the sky or tower shots that I need so even though I take quite a few shots thanks to the mated pair of Red-Tails that hang near my work which is beyond fabulous however they are just to high up for anything that's nice and crisp.
So! That leads me to my story. My mom and I were headed to the aforementioned park and as we were driving down a main road I just happened to look up at just the right moment and I noticed a Red-Tail sitting on a lampost! By some very good luck it was very close to a parking lot so my mom pulled in and I slowly and carefully get out and try to get a few shots as I creep ever closer expecting at any second that he's gonna take off since thats always been my luck that even when they are so high in the air they still understandably take off when they feel a human gets too close but that makes for a touch of a disappointing time.
So I take my chances and get closer and predictably he takes off but instead of leaving he flies down to a strand of trees next to a neighborhood. I simply couldn't believe my luck so I carefully cross the street thinking at any moment that he's gonna take off again. I slowly get closer to the tree and he's fairly low to the ground and I carefully maneuvered myself and get in front of him and managed to snag some shots not believing my luck and honestly hardly breathing expecting that at any second, I'll blink, and he'll be gone.
Things were going well until a group of kids came running by on the sidewalk and talking loudly and he takes off almost over my head which was amazing but happened to quick for me to get the shot but by some miracle he hardly flew that far and landed in the tree right next to the one he was in.
So, I once again slowly approach him and he's still unconcerned and just focused on looking at the songbirds. I'm able to get some more lovely shots and then about 20 mins he takes off again because a mockingbird was harassing him, but he couldn't have been more than 8 feet above my head so when he took off he went low, and I swear I could have jumped up and touched him. My heart was in my throat and the awe I felt was truly something I doubt I'll ever experience again. I thought that was surely the end of my luck since he'd stuck around so long but no! He flew farther than he had but he still stayed in the same strand of trees and this time he was as low as he'd been! I was seriously maybe 7 feet under him if even. I was able to look right into his eyes as I swear, he was staring in to my very soul. I was talking to him and everything and he just kept gazing at me completely calm it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life and all I've ever hoped for.
I could have seriously stayed there forever and taken a million pics but as it was I had to go back to work so I regrettably had to leave him behind and go but I thanked him for giving me this encounter and told him how grateful I was for his gift of letting me get these shots. I ended up taking 688 pics of him in a little less hour so needless to say I have many wonderous pics to always remember this encounter. Here's just a few of my favorites to share with yall.
Still can't believe I got this shot of the Mockingbird going at him!
Staring into my soul
Nictitating Membrane!
After he shook out his feathers and got all fluffy
@Peachfaced @Mizzely
That hawk could make breakfast outta you!
how insanely cool!
I’m so jealous!
