Camera Critters #279

Earlier this week, I heard an odd sound outside.  I knew it was a hawk, but what kind?





The bird had me stumped for a few seconds, but after looking at it through the lens of my camera while shooting photos of it, I realized what it was.

It was an Intermediate Adult Red-tailed Hawk.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #268

During my walking safaris around town, I often see smaller birds harassing larger birds…Robin diving on Crows…Crows diving on Ravens…that sort of thing.  And every time I attempt to photograph what I see. The images always turn out to look like two birds flying close to each other.

However, while out on a walk earlier this week, I came across Ravens harassing a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.  I stopped and began putting what I was seeing on my SD card, all the while thinking, “I’m probably not going to get anything worth anything.”

But this time, the photo gods were with me.  Although the image isn’t in good focus (I was pointing the camera almost straight up at the time and wanting to fall backwards), I could still seeing the value in the image.

Raven harassing Red-tail Hawk

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #244

I been hearing about a number of Common Redpolls arriving in my area, so Dec. 5, I decided I would head out to find some.

 Unfortunately, I only found Lesser Goldfinches feeding on the seeds of a nearby tree and Red-tailed Hawk which flew over a few minutes later.





Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #209

A couple of weeks ago, we had a break in our rotten weather and I decided I would head out for a walk around town, with my camera in hand, of course.

As I walked through a new city park, I heard the screeching of a Red-tailed Hawk.  Glancing around, I spotted one circling and as I raised my camera, it glided in for a landing on the top of a nearby tree.

I snapped off a few shots and noticed the large mass below the hawk at the top of the tree.  Looking closer, I realized it might be a nest.  As I walked around looking at the top of the tree, I felt more and more confident of my conclusion.

 

At one point, a second, smaller, Red-tailed Hawk, probably a male, circled the area.  After a few minutes, the perched hawk took off and joined the other hawk.  The pair headed to the northeast and I lost sight of them.

Since the possible nest is not far from my place, I have kept an eye on it.  The pair of Red-tailed Hawk tend to stay in the area of that tree, but I have yet to notice any sitting on the nest.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #138

One of my favorite things to do during the winter is travel the ranch lands east of town in search of raptors.

It is this time of year that the Rough-legged Hawk moves down here to escape the cold of the bird’s summer Arctic retreat. 

So Thursday, while heading to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, I checked out Raptor Land.

I saw a lot of Rough-legged Hawks way out in the middle of pastures, but only one up close, who just happened to get nervous about my presence as I lifted my camera.

But it was two Red-tailed Hawks who graced the view in my camera.  Both birds seemed, either a little upset at my presence, or were thinking, “Hummm…Turkey dinner?”

The following juvenile hawk really decided to look things over.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over.  Go to the homepage here to see more.  Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter Meme #29

Many moons ago, my only concern when I was out on photo safaris was to shoot birds. I loved photographing birds and still do.

Most of the time, I try to get the birds perched or on the ground. I almost have to do that, since my camera, the original Digital Rebel, has very slow focusing. However, when it does focus, and especially with the lens I currently use on it, the images are often tack sharp.

But I also like to get my bird photos while they are flying. It's difficult, but I have managed to do it and have gotten pretty good at it at the same time...at least I think I have.

Below are some of my favorite in-flight shots.

Great Blue Heron at Fireman's Pond

Tree Swallows near the old golf course

Mountain Bluebird near the fairgrounds

Killdeer at my sister's place

Yellow-headed Blackbird at Fireman's Pond

Raven near the airport

Rough-legged Hawk near Powell Butte

And now, my two favorite flight shots of birds of all time. Both shots were taken during the winter time frame, and with both of them, I didn't know what I had until I got home and put them on the computer.

Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk near Powell Butte

Bald Eagle over Lake Billy Chinook

I hope everyone enjoyed these shots. The one above is my all time favorite. It has all the elements I like best in a photo. The bird and a great background. 'Nuff said. 8v)

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!