Squirrel's Destiny

IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
edited June 18, 2011 in Wildlife
Every critter has its assigned roles to play in the drama of life. Ultimately though, the squirrel is sustenance to "nobler" beasts. I came on this hawk just after it had taken its dinner. I only had my 28-300 "walk-around" lens, and it was a bit after 7:30PM so was getting dark in the suburban woods. I shot hand-held at 1/100 and 1/125 f/5.6 ISO 1600, so the technical quality is weak, but it was an exciting moment for me nonetheless.

1. Checking me out
i-qMmBPkJ-L.jpg

2. Getting down to business
i-74VqsQS-L.jpg

3. Holding the body down with one foot, tugging with the beak, while slashing with the talons of the other foot. Notice the nictitating membrane protecting the eye during this rough stuff.
i-9T52sMV-L.jpg
John :
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.

Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    :ivarwings.giflynnma:encorefriday.gifdrumsbeer.gifsuper:smoclap.gif

    Made my day.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Wicked_DarkWicked_Dark Registered Users Posts: 1,138 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    I really need one of those in my yard. Darn squirrels everywhere.
    SmugMug
    Flickr
    Photography Blog
    Twitter
    500px
  • dbvetodbveto Registered Users Posts: 660 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    I love those shot clap.gif

    The first it he looks like it's asking if you want some rolleyes1.gifrofl
    Dennis
    http://www.realphotoman.com/
    Work in progress
    http://www.realphotoman.net/ Zenfolio 10% off Referral Code: 1KH-5HX-5HU
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    Made my day.
    Thought you might like it Harry! I actually thought about you while I was shooting.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    Wicked_Dark wrote: »
    I really need one of those in my yard. Darn squirrels everywhere.
    rolleyes1.gifThe neighborhood kids would be horrified though.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2011
    dbveto wrote: »
    I love those shot clap.gif

    The first it he looks like it's asking if you want some rolleyes1.gifrofl
    Trust me . . . it was more of a "Back off, mutha" kind of look.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • YaflyyadieYaflyyadie Registered Users Posts: 558 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    The bird spotted you very well, it was a miracle it didn't flew away with dinner in hand..... oops... in claw.
    Very nice.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!thumb.gif
  • tkerrtkerr Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    Icebear wrote: »
    Trust me . . . it was more of a "Back off, mutha" kind of look.
    Nice pictures.
    I've had those Back Off glares more than once myself.
    http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i39/Tim_Kerr/Nature/Hawk-02.jpg
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    Yaflyyadie wrote: »
    it was a miracle it didn't flew away with dinner in hand..... oops... in claw.

    Thanks. I think it tried to. While I was diving into the back seat of the car to get the camera, it was flapping and hopping. The rat (err . . . squirrel) was pretty big.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    tkerr wrote: »
    Nice pictures.
    I've had those Back Off glares more than once myself.
    http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i39/Tim_Kerr/Nature/Hawk-02.jpg

    Thanks for the comment. They do have in intense glare, don't they?
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    No peace for a working guy (or gal)
    There's a good reason the hawk was in a hurry to scarf down dinner. eek7.gif Serious harassment from the locals. I didn't fully grasp how big the hawk was 'till I saw this bluejay on my screen during import. I mean, I'd been aware of the strafing runs, but to tell the truth, I didn't know I'd caught one.

    i-S6gVVFw-L.jpg
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    Amazing! I'm so glad Harry got such a boost to his summer! Way to go, John! Best, Pam
  • M38A1M38A1 Registered Users Posts: 1,317 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    What a great series.... You (well, at least I) don't get to see that very often)
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2011
    Thanks Pam. Thanks Scott.
    It's funny how greedy I get. Now I want shots of the moment of a kill.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited June 18, 2011
    Really nice series John thumb.gif
    Randy
  • korandokekorandoke Registered Users Posts: 517 Major grins
    edited June 18, 2011
    nice set john

    kind regards,
    korandoke
    Best regards,
    Korandoke
Sign In or Register to comment.