In My Dreams I Can Fly...

I was out photographing flowers in my yard :::big yawn:::, when Joel summoned me to "come see the hawk".  He and a couple other boys noticed a hawk up in the trees right off our cul-de-sac.

So...armed with the big lens, I spent the next hour hawk watching.  It was interesting.  He let me get pretty close and never spooked.  I kept hoping for some action, but got very little. I even tried to prompt some by tossing sticks out into the woods.  He lasted longer than I did... after an hour handholding a 400mm lens, my arms were dead and the light was waning.  I have a ridiculous number of frames....but here are a few that really capture the experience.

At one point, he did drop to the ground.  While this photo is not tack sharp, I like the surreal look that the action creates.

He was on the ground at this point.  I was able to get a completely different angle with him below eye level.

A momentary loss of dignity....

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• #9 Comment from monicasmemoirs 
  4/28/08 10:57 AM | Permalink

  Oh I wish I had a photo opportunity like that.  Though I must admit, my arms are feeling sore just thinking of holding that camera/lens waiting patiently for some action.  My favorite - how you captured the soul of the bird through his eyes.  Nicely done!
  
  Monica
• #8 Comment from myrdog 
  4/27/08 9:12 PM | Permalink

  I think a hawk is so beautiful when it is flying. I love the patterns of its feathers.
• #7 Comment from radar446 
  4/27/08 7:26 PM | Permalink

  These are great, and I really like the slightly blurred one.  It really shows a sense of action.
  
  Greg
• #6 Comment from elainey2465 
  4/27/08 2:10 PM | Permalink

  Wow Kat - wish I had birds like that in my garden! Laine x
• #5 Comment from nhd106 
  4/27/08 12:37 PM | Permalink

  Brilliant!  You are lucky to have had this opportunity...but more lucky/skilled to have taken advantage of it as you did.  Excellent job!
  
  (love the commentary too...)
  
  xo,
  Nance