Back on Wednesday, I was heading to Burnsville to teach my class when I passed a red-tailed hawk by the side of the road. I've seen him before, up in a dead tree nearby, but this time he was on the ground.
I was past him before I realized what I'd seen but he didn't take off so I stopped, fumbled around for my camera (which I'd foolishly put in its bag, in the backseat -- note to self: keep camera out, turned on!) and backed up.
The hawk wasn't hurt, thank goodness. It had a goodsized black snake -- probably road kill, certainly the first I've seen out.)
To my amazement, when I backed up, the hawk didn't take off at once. Finally, though, he got his dinner firmly in his talons and flew.
I was delighted with these two captures -- be sure to click on the pictures to biggify them and really see the hawk -- such gorgeous birds!
Hawk, shmalk, says Eddie. Biggify THIS!
And the willows are greening...
And there was a fine moon on the rise last night.
Happy Sunday!
And there was a fine moon on the rise last night.
Happy Sunday!
18 comments:
I am amazed at how many of my blogger friends see so many wonderful creatures as they are driving......loved these photos and your right they are much better enlarged......:-) Hugs
Great captures! Did you fly to take the second photo ?
Eddies looks like a wolf !
"And the willows are greening": lovely sentence ...
As always, your photos are a delight. Gorgeous bird. Beautiful dog. And spring is really coming!
Thank you for brightening my day.
debra
Bernie -- around here, folks who drive with one eye on the road and the other wandering the roadsides are said to be 'squirrel hunting.'
Miss Yves -- Eddie will be thrilled with your comment!
Debra -- Eddie only thinks he's a dog -- he's a very large cat.
Great shots Vicki! We have 2 hawks hanging out here but I can't seem to get a good shot of them. Eddie's pic reminds me of Madame Willow when I approach her on the nest!I never knew a setting hen was so sinister! :)
Super pictures, Vicki. Birds of prey aren't that easy to photograph. So glad this one obliged.
So, maybe I am a total dork, but the cat picture is the one that I loved. Great picture. I love cats and but I LOOOOOVVVVVVE black cats. And the moon picture was awesome!
Beautiful pictures of the hawk. I love the second one where the wings are outstretched. A black snake would be a good meal for a hawk, wouldn't it!
Blessings, Star
Enjoyed the photos! There are so many things we miss when we're not paying attention. I've had birds wait to have their picture taken before they fly off. Love it when that happens!
A setting hen has a job to do, Carol, and she takes it very seriously!
Thanks, Martin! I was thrilled!
Lisa,Nothing dorky about liking Eddie! He has a bit of a fan club.
Star -- It was a good sized snake which is why, i think, he was flying so low.
It's great when it happens, Jean. Crows are the hardest for me -- incredibly easy to spook.
The hawk had to wait to get a good hold on that wiggly snake. If the snake was dead I think it would have hung down. Great photos!
Cool photos Vicki. Blogging has really increased my interest in 'catching a good shot'. I love the pix of the hawk. They are beautiful. There are lots around here, but it's a rare one that isn't high up on the phone poles or trees. And of course Eddie is right---we all know that cats are much more impressive than a mere hawk!
Tammy
The snake's head was gone, Callie, as a zoom in of the picture in editing told me. Which isn't to say he wasn't wiggling. They can continue to wiggle for a long time even when technically dead.
Eddie says you got that right, Tammy!
I'm a nut for hawks, and this one was so obliging. Lovely.
Lovely hawk picture – and I biggified it (new word for me to add to my vocabulary)
These are really great photos. It pays to have your camera with you always.
Thanks, Enchanted Oak and Larry.
And Vagabonde -- isn't 'biggify' a great word? I got it from my blog friend Tammy (Musings from Fairlight Farm.) So much more fun than 'enlarge!'
Great captures of the hawk-I've seen the willows around town turning too-Spring is really here!
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