Thursday, January 08, 2015

Skywatch Friday 88

Hawk, seen sitting atop road sign on Friday, December 19, 2014. I was able to get fairly close, and was surprised he did not fly off when a large semi startled him as it blew past. He merely ruffled his wings a bit before settling in again. Too bad there was no sun that day to show off his magnificent colors.
















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19 comments:

Lea said...

Wonderful! Beautiful photos!
I've never spotted one sitting on a road sign. They are usually high up in tops of dead trees or on the power lines beside the road. One day recently I saw four different hawks, but each one flew as soon as I stopped the car. But I'll keep on trying.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Lea

Alice Audrey said...

If he can handle passing semi's I gotta wonder how long he's been sitting there.

Hey, let me know when you receive the package I sent last a couple days ago.

Heather said...

Lea: I frequently see them sitting atop phone or light poles in my area, but this one was sitting on a road sign, which made him much easier to see and photograph. I never tire of seeing them, or trying to photograph them, and am indebted to the friend who decreed $1 waffle cones a must-have and turned around so I could play photograph en route to get said waffle cones, LOL. ☺

Heather said...

Alice: Considering how used to the traffic noise he seemed, I'm betting he must roost in the Arboretum/Arbor Hills area along the Beltline. I frequently see hawks circling overhead in this area, and even alighting atop poles/street lights, but they are either too high up to photograph, or fly off before I can get close enough to zoom in.

CountryDew said...

Great shots. I seem to see them more on gray days than sunny ones.

colleen said...

I hope it's not looking at my chickens!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Heather, awesome sighting of the hawk.. They usually fly off when they see me trying to take a photo.. You got some great shots! Have a happy weekend!

Heather said...

Anita: That does seem true, doesn't it?

Colleen: I confess, there are days I wish they'd glance at my neighbors' wee annoying doggies. *GGG*

Thanks, Eileeen! I never seem to have luck photographing them, then this one puts on a show. He looked right at me, and I probably could have gotten a bit closer, or at least around to his other side, but I did not want to stress him.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful captures of the bird.

Beth at PlantPostings said...

Great shots! What a beautiful bird. I see them along the road frequently, too, but never seem to find the opportunity to pull over for photos. ;-)

Shelley Munro said...

A magnificent looking bird. Great shots, Heather.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Beautiful shots, and I like how you were able to get in so close! Something about hawks is so fascinating!

Heather said...

Thanks, Jim and Rajesh!

Beth: I see them all the time in our area, but have never seen one this close. I'm glad I was able to stop and get pics of him.

Shelley: Thank you!

Spare Parts: They are definitely fascinating birds. I never tire of seeing them. ☺

maryaustria said...

Gorgeous! These are wonderful captures of this bird!

kayerj said...

great pictures, I see these on the telephone poles along the highway.

Alice Audrey said...

That's why I hardly ever get decent bird photos.

Heather said...

Mary: Thank you!

Kelley: Hawks -- and raptors in general -- have made a big comeback since (now banned) DDT killed large numbers of them.

Alice: Just one more reason I'd like a camera with REAL zoom capability. *VBG*

Jana said...

Cool capture!!

Heather said...

Jana: Thank you! ☺