It's Courting Season

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone,

The hawks are really busy around here. I have been trying to get some shots like these for weeks now but they are usually to far away. These are still at a distance but will give you an idea of the mid air dance that goes on throughout the day this time of year. I just wish they would stay closer. I have never seen so many different hawks as there are this year.

#1 Excuse me, would you like to dance

#2 Ahhh, nice move, is that something new

#3 Hey.. I get to lead now

#4 Opps, sorry, didn't mean to step on your toe

#5 Hey.. beat it, this is my tree

#6 Hmmm, I think there is a mouse down here somewhere

#7 Yummy, I think I'll swallow it whole (sorry it's not to clear)

#8 Hey buddy quit stealing my mice.. this is my tree, you beat it

#9 And stay away.. ya hear !!

jsmiley

hawks

PrescottPhotog wrote:

Hi Everyone,

The hawks are really busy around here. I have been trying to get some shots like these for weeks now but they are usually to far away. These are still at a distance but will give you an idea of the mid air dance that goes on throughout the day this time of year. I just wish they would stay closer. I have never seen so many different hawks as there are this year.


Hi Chris

Those are some awesome pics. You manage to capture some very difficult shots. In-flight and in focus great job.

John

www.smileysphotography.com

Giphsub

Great action set Chris! I love watching the black kites here doing the same thing. Throw in the crows, and we get a real dog fight going on!

PrescottPhotog

jsmiley wrote:

Hi Chris

Those are some awesome pics. You manage to capture some very difficult shots. In-flight and in focus great job.

John

Hi John.. Thanks for viewing. I just wish they were closer. I was really pushing it to get these shots.

PrescottPhotog

Giphsub wrote:

Great action set Chris! I love watching the black kites here doing the same thing. Throw in the crows, and we get a real dog fight going on!

Hi Mike.. Thanks for your comments. I have seen some real acrobatics lately but they are just to far away to capture. Incredible sometimes.

I know what you mean about the crows. There are about a dozen that hang around the lake and just drive the Red-Tailed hawks crazy. There is also a juvie eagle that comes around and they go after it every time. I saw it on the ground the other day and about 6 crows had it surrounded (all on the ground). The were pecking at it and as the eagle turned to fend off one, another would hop up and peck at it from the other side. The eagle finally took off and the crows followed. They go after some pretty big birds but they do it in numbers for the advantage.

Giphsub

Yeah, they can be buggers! Very occasionally you see one of the raptors get fed up and turn and chase them. When that happens the crows suddenly lose all that bravado!

riddim_maker

It's indeed a treat to witness this interaction and
you're fortunate to have captured some of it
Very entertaining captions also

Bud1880

Very neat pictures Chris. Would be great to witness something like that let alone have the equipment to record it.

Interesting stuff about the crows too. Thanks for sharing. I couldn't imagine a crow pecking at something that looks as imposing as a bald eagle.

Bud

Harryb

Excellent captures Chris with a very high degree of difficulty.

raptorcaptor

Good action shots Chris!

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone..

Thanks for your comments. I wish I could have snapped better quality. There were a couple where they were locking talons and summersaulting through the air.. but they were totally OOF. Maybe next time.