Jay Chladek Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) About a month ago, a Hawk family moved into a tree just a couple houses away. They may have been there longer, but they introduced themselves recently. There are two hawks that fly around the neighborhood. I think they might be juviniles since although they are big, they don't do the characteristic hawk screech (I have heard it from a more distant Hawk) and instead they seem to make a noise perhaps more associated with wanting food. I suppose it could be mom and dad though and their chick could still be in the tree. Anyway, a little over a week ago, I took my camera outside and waited for them. The pair came flying in over the lawn and landed across the street. I shot a couple pictures of one on the roof of the house across the street. He (or she) saw me and decided to perch on my roof (I moved a bit when I saw the thing flying towards me). For the next 40 minutes, it was this hawk and myself in the front yard. It stayed on the roof for about 25 minutes, then it flew to a branch over my yard. The whole time I was about 25 feet away from it and while it eyeballed me, it didn't seem mad at me. Here are some of my best pictures of that day: At least it is nice to know while the F-22 is grounded, THIS Raptor is still flying. ;) Edited August 1, 2011 by Jay Chladek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alternative 4 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Beautiful bids, great neighbors to have. We have native Hawk's and Harriers here, its great to watch them gracefully gliding through the sky in the autumn period. However their large wing spans can be intimidating if you come across them eating road kill! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Really nice shots of the beautiful birds, Jay ... Thanks for sharing them ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) Wow nice shots i bet you dont have much rodent problems in you neighborhood!! Edited August 1, 2011 by Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Don't let your cat out! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) Jay WOW !! Those are amazing pics....I was thinking the same as you were when I read your post...At least This ONE is stll Hovering and flying about.. GORGEOUS looking Bird....LOVE the span of its wings... Edited August 1, 2011 by HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mingwin Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 yeah! great shoots man! your kind of lucky to have this close neighbor. and i'll repeat what Bigasshammm said : don't let your cat out! nor any pet, anymore... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Beautiful bids, great neighbors to have. We have native Hawk's and Harriers here, its great to watch them gracefully gliding through the sky in the autumn period. However their large wing spans can be intimidating if you come across them eating road kill! Unless you raise chickens! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Aren't they amazing? Gorgeous. I never tire of looking at them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooter Man Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Wow, those are really great shots & interesting story! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 Thankfully, my cat is a BIG chicken when it comes to wanting to go outdoors. If it gets to the door and you try to let it out, it just panics and doesn't do it. So we won't have a problem with the cat and the hawks. I am pretty sure these are Red Tail Hawks since the are pretty common around the state. It is kind of unusual for them to be hanging out in my neighborhood since it is a somewhat populated suburb of Omaha. Maybe they decided to move in due to the flooding of the Missouri river further to the east. Eitherway, it is nice to see them out and about around here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Nope, I have never seen a Coopers Hawk before. Of course, I hope to try and get more pictures of these birds if the opportunity presents itself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alex.B Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Nice shots.. and very nice having them as neighbors! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CyNaKyL Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 (edited) We have native Hawk's and Harriers here. However their large wing spans can be intimidating if you come across them eating road kill! Ain't that the truth. My uncle came to visit when I was (much much) younger. He was out on the back roads riding his motorbike when he came round a blind corner and smack bang in the middle of the road was a harrier munching on some squashed rabbit. He hauled on the anchors and the harrier tried to take off but unfortunately my uncle collected it on his helmet. He and the bike were ok apart from a few scratches but unfortunately the harrier got the full brunt of a liverpool kiss from my uncle's helmet so both it and the helmet were written off. He said it was the scariest thing he's ever seen with the harrier coming straight at his head... Edited August 2, 2011 by CyNaKyL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Very NICE SHOTS...Jay...and as a raptor (of the feathered kind) fanatic...I'd be in hog-heaven to share domiciles with such feathered neighbors. My 70-200mm VRII would be getting a hell of a workout. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Very nice pictures. I would guess that your hawks and my hummingbirds would not get along too well, but they both make for some very interesting pictures. Darwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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