Close Raptor Encounters - A Hawk on My Deck!
I live near a lake, so we get some interesting wildlife. Deer go rambling through my yard, blissfully munching the landscaping, much to my husband's discontent. But we aren't out in the country, by any stretch--really just the suburbs, basically. There's plenty of commercial development within a mile of my house, and we live in a typical subdivision.
I have seen plenty of songbirds in the backyard, and a smattering of fat, sassy ravens. But one of my coolest sightings was a hawk, who perched on my deck railing. To see a wild hawk so close just filled me with awe. That was on the day of President Obama's first inauguration--we were watching the ceremony when we saw the big guy out on the deck, and I couldn't take my eyes off him until he flew away.
I wanted to take a picture, of course, but I was absolutely sure that while I was going to fetch my camera, he would leave, so I satisfied myself by just enjoying the sight of the magnificent bird for as long as I could. It was snowing that day, and I guess he'd had slim pickings, so he might have seen some of the smaller songbirds coming to our suet feeder (he landed right under it). They made themselves scarce while he was around!
Image Credit » http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coopers_hawk_%2812343686485%29.jpg
Comments
BrenndaMarie wrote on February 23, 2015, 1:44 PM
Wow, you must encounter some very interesting wildlife living by a lake. Sounds like a beautiful place to live. You are one with nature.
WordChazer wrote on February 23, 2015, 1:50 PM
wolfgirl569 says she has one in her barn. What a stunning sight they must be.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 1:57 PM
It does make for some really interesting sights. We have to be careful, though--I've seen deer run across the road in broad daylight!
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 2:00 PM
It's pretty common to see them flying far overhead, but when you get to see one up close, WOW! This one was REALLY big. Not quite eagle-sized, but very impressive, especially considering how thrilled I get to see a raven close by!
GemstonePink wrote on February 23, 2015, 2:21 PM
You certainly do live in a lovely place that lets you encounter wildlife often. I bet that hawk was quite a sight!
Tiger_Armando_Jose wrote on February 23, 2015, 3:22 PM
I like hawks.
SLGarcia wrote on February 23, 2015, 3:46 PM
What a great picture! I have had that experience and it is truly amazing.
Ellis wrote on February 23, 2015, 4:55 PM
Ever noticed how the songbirds go very quiet and hide in bushes when a bird of prey is around?
maxeen wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:30 PM
He is a handsome one ,we see lots of them around .
wolfgirl569 wrote on February 23, 2015, 5:37 PM
They are very pretty to see. They will eat a variety of animals tho, including kittens and rabbits if they see those
valmnz wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:20 PM
The most up close I've seen a hawk is when it's feeding off the road kill animals on the highway. They don't stop until the car is quite close.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:57 PM
The best part was how physically close he was--our deck is pretty small, so he was literally just about eight feet away.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:57 PM
Aren't they great? So impressive.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:58 PM
Isn't it wonderful? I found it on Wikipedia after I did some research on the kind of hawks that are likely to be in my area. The one in the pic is a Cooper's hawk, which I think is what it was, based on the markings.
1AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 6:59 PM
Yes, indeed! We always think of them as hunting rodents, but I think they like little birdies just as well.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:00 PM
It's not unusual for me to see them flying very high above, but wow, when one is this close, it's really a bit gobsmacking.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:00 PM
Whew, another good reason not to let pets run about :-o
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:01 PM
Oh, I didn't know hawks might eat carrion, too. I guess they do what they need to when they get hungry enough.
maxeen wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:22 PM
I know! They swoop unexpectedly out of the trees in the country lanes of France ,they never give me a chance to catch them on film...
buzymommy wrote on February 23, 2015, 7:57 PM
I'm usually really good at having my camera in an easy to grab place... snuck up real close to a hummingbird once and got the best pics... but I know I would have been too slow on this one - I would have been too amazed to think about it! So cool to see!
Kungfu123 wrote on February 23, 2015, 10:23 PM
You can see many beautiful scenery by live near a lake.
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 11:00 PM
I was very close to the window and didn't want to startle him away, so I tried to just burn it into my memory!
AliCanary wrote on February 23, 2015, 11:01 PM
Yes, I am not actually on the water, but I drive by it very frequently, and it is indeed beautiful.
crowntower wrote on February 24, 2015, 12:09 AM
I know you might think of me as stupid being, but I wonder why people are freaking out sometimes when there is a hawk? I never seen one or maybe I did but I don't remember it anymore. God bless.
BarbRad wrote on February 24, 2015, 1:04 AM
I was surprised to see a hawk in a tree in front of a house not far from me. I was on a walk and I normally don't see hawks in residential neighborhoods.
Hollyhocks100 wrote on February 24, 2015, 3:50 AM
There´s just something awesome about birds of prey, I find them fascinating too. What a great sighting you had.
AliCanary wrote on February 24, 2015, 4:51 PM
Well, some people mi frightened, because they are very big and they have sharp claws, but I think they are beautiful.
GemOfAGirl wrote on February 24, 2015, 11:29 PM
I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild. I've seen them in zoos, though.
CoralLevang wrote on July 2, 2015, 2:07 AM
We have hawks and bald eagles here where I live. These are beautiful creatures. Ominous, though.