Raptor snack.

Maestro

The day started off with a bit of good fortune. As I went to let the dog in from outside I glanced up and saw a coyote at the end of my lot. I quickly grabbed my camera, but as coyotes are, she took off a'runnin'. I was only able to get this half-way decent shot of her very far away in the next pasture.


I had planned on going out looking for my elusive male Northern Cardinal. I had stopped by my local grocery store first to pick up a few things, then I was heading to a place by which I pass when I bike. There are usually a large number of birds in that area. But anyhow, as I pull out of the grocery store, I pass the ole abandoned house behind it and you'll never believe my luck!

My raptor was sitting on top of an old metal post once used as a clothes line! I slowly pulled over, but I wasn't too concerned since other cars were passing. The raptor had to be used to that. My main problem was approaching. I walked about ten yards and stopped. The raptor was having a bit of a snack.
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. Here it is.



I inched closer but it started to get nervous looking up and around quite often so I just stood still and would rely on my zoom and Photoshop to get closer.







Wait, now we are getting a bit perturbed.


Then she took off. It was quite exhilirating to find it right smack dab in the middle of surburbia. I eventually calmed down and went on my way.
This place helps me think and clear my thoughts. It is quite isolated.



And yes, here I did find my male Northern Cardinal. Still, though, they do not like my camera. The females behave much better.


As a bonus, Mr. Downy Woodpecker showed up again.


Thanks for looking. BTW, the lighting was horrid. It was overcast, raining at times and cold. I tired to up the exposure as best I could without blowing out my whites.

PS. I actually used these shots as a bit of education with my children on predator and prey. Then we went and looked up more animals they eat at the request of my children. Did you know they will eat other birds? I didn't.

gluwater

Great stuff Maestro! It must feel good to be able to teach your kids with your images. Here is another little tidbit of information about Red Tail hawks. They will not only eat other birds but they will even eat other raptors. In another forum I recently saw a shot of a RTH eating a Kestral. Hope that coyote comes back for you to photograph.

Maestro

Thanks gluwater. I want to be able to teach my kids much about science and wildlife and the world around them. Taking them out on my little bird excursions is one way except now at ages 5 and 6, they get pretty bored and quite loud. But it is still fun. I hope I see the coyote soon as well. As far as the eating habits of Red Tailed hawks, I had no idea that they would go after other birds, especially kestrels. Where I am, there has a to such an abundance of field mice, snakes and lizards that they would opt not to eat other birds, but you never know. Thanks for the comments.

Harryb

Good raptor captures .

dbaker1221

good job...it is fun to wander aimlessly taking pics isn't it

Maestro

Harryb wrote:

Good raptor captures .

Thanks Harry. Can I borrow your 500mm or 600mm some time? I'll take good care of it.

Maestro

dbaker1221 wrote:

good job...it is fun to wander aimlessly taking pics isn't it

Maybe I am just getting old but yes, the quiet solitude snapping pictures and the expectation of what you'll find once you slap the memory card in the computer is too much fun for me. I plan to do some more aimless walking in about a week. I am taking the family to the Texas Hill Country.

windoze

nice series and enjoyed the narrative.
what luck to find that raptor again!


keep up the good work and thanx for sharing!

troy

jwear

good series they never share darn birds good captures