Northern Goshawks
Jody Melanson
Registered Users Posts: 416 Major grins
Had the pleasure of seeing these beauties some time back. They were building a nest and I thought I was in for a treat, but they abandoned the nest the next day. (it was right next to a busy path) 
A powerful raptor of northern forests, the Northern Goshawk is the largest North American accipiter. It maneuvers through dense woods, taking prey as small as squirrels and as large as grouse, crows, and snowshoe hare.
Cool Facts
* The Northern Goshawk is well known for its fierce defense of its nest. It commonly attacks people and other animals that approach the nest too closely.
* The Northern Goshawk can be very persistent in pursuing prey. One goshawk was seen pursuing a snowshoe hare for 45 to 60 minutes along a hedgerow until finally the hare ran into a clearing and was seized. A goshawk may also chase poultry into buildings.
* Attila the Hun wore an image of a Northern Goshawk on his helmet.
* The Northern Goshawk is found across northern America and Eurasia. Most of the Eurasian races have much more dark barring on the chest than the American form, but about half of all Siberian goshawks are nearly white.
* The name "goshawk" comes from the Old English words gos, meaning goose, and hafoc meaning hawk. It is pronounced as if the words are still separate, without any "sh" sound.
(taken from: here )
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Sorry for the bad image quality on the next 3 images, but they were backlit and I didn't have my flash with me.
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It was really tough to get flight shots of these guys as they stay in the woods. There was a small opening in which they were flying across and I only had a couple of seconds to pick them up in the viewfinder, track and shoot, before they went back in the woods.
Taking branches to the nest.
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If you have ever seen a Squirrel run from a Coopers or Sharp Shinned Hawk, they run around the tree to get away. A Goshawk flying, can keep up with the Squirrel running around the tree and catch them. These guys are very agile to say the least!
It is very cool to see them maneuver through the branches at full speed. :O
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As you can see, they have short, broad wings to help them navigate through the trees and branches. They also have a long tail for a rudder.
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A powerful raptor of northern forests, the Northern Goshawk is the largest North American accipiter. It maneuvers through dense woods, taking prey as small as squirrels and as large as grouse, crows, and snowshoe hare.
Cool Facts
* The Northern Goshawk is well known for its fierce defense of its nest. It commonly attacks people and other animals that approach the nest too closely.
* The Northern Goshawk can be very persistent in pursuing prey. One goshawk was seen pursuing a snowshoe hare for 45 to 60 minutes along a hedgerow until finally the hare ran into a clearing and was seized. A goshawk may also chase poultry into buildings.
* Attila the Hun wore an image of a Northern Goshawk on his helmet.
* The Northern Goshawk is found across northern America and Eurasia. Most of the Eurasian races have much more dark barring on the chest than the American form, but about half of all Siberian goshawks are nearly white.
* The name "goshawk" comes from the Old English words gos, meaning goose, and hafoc meaning hawk. It is pronounced as if the words are still separate, without any "sh" sound.
(taken from: here )
1
Sorry for the bad image quality on the next 3 images, but they were backlit and I didn't have my flash with me.
2
3
4
It was really tough to get flight shots of these guys as they stay in the woods. There was a small opening in which they were flying across and I only had a couple of seconds to pick them up in the viewfinder, track and shoot, before they went back in the woods.
Taking branches to the nest.
5
6
7
If you have ever seen a Squirrel run from a Coopers or Sharp Shinned Hawk, they run around the tree to get away. A Goshawk flying, can keep up with the Squirrel running around the tree and catch them. These guys are very agile to say the least!
It is very cool to see them maneuver through the branches at full speed. :O
8
As you can see, they have short, broad wings to help them navigate through the trees and branches. They also have a long tail for a rudder.
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There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness!
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Thanks for sharing,
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And, um, what's a bif??
Canon: 5d Mk III, 5d Mk II, 50d, 50/1.2, 85/1.2, 35/1.4, 70-200/2.8 II, 17-40/4, 24-70/2.8, 100 2.8 macro
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Bird In Flight = BIF.
www.capture-the-pixel.com
Canon: 5d Mk III, 5d Mk II, 50d, 50/1.2, 85/1.2, 35/1.4, 70-200/2.8 II, 17-40/4, 24-70/2.8, 100 2.8 macro
Laurie Bracewell Photography