Whoa, I just looked at this photo I downloaded and realized I captured a Sharp-shinned Hawk going after the America Goldfinches and Pine Siskins that were at our feeders. I thought I was taking a photo of the finches perched on the feeders, but just as I clicked the photo, they all flew up. What I didn't realize is that they all flew up because, at that moment, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was attacking the birds. I do think it missed.There's no way I could have planned this photo, because the hawk was so fast and came out of nowhere. What a strange sort of serendipity. I circled the hawk in the photo, so you could more easily see it. You can tell it's a "Sharpie" because of it's smaller size and the very square tail. Look at the way the finches are just exploding, fleeing for their lives.
12 comments:
FANTASTIC SHOT! Even if it wasn't planned; It's amazing!
Amazing photograph. Interesting that the finches are able to react quickly enough to escape the Sharpie.
I am interested in the oak-leaf perches on the pole.
Where can I find them, please ?
An awesome capture,even if it wasn't planned.
Blessings,Ruth
Amazing! I hope for a shot like that everytime I photograph my birds! I'd even settle for the one you took of the sharpie on your fence post--that was great, too.
I'd say your chances for that would be one in a million. Wow!
Great shot! I've always wanted to get a photo of something like this but like you said, there's just no way to plan for it.
it is so un expected! when they attack so fast!
A Sharpie grabbed a Mourning Dove at our feeder and slammed it into a window of our house. I thought we had been hit by falling space debris because of the crashing noise. Luckily the window didn't break but we were treated to a front row seat while we watched the Sharpie eat the Dove. I fear that while we are feeding the birds, we have created a 'killing zone' for raptors. Any advice on this or should we just let nature run it's course?
What a fantastic photo! Thanks so much for posting it.
what species of birds are getting attacked
Awesome pick! Timing is indeed everything. I witnessed a cooper's hawk yesterday gather up lunch of a mourning dove that the hawk had chased, and it collided with a window on the house. While trying to photograph it through the windows, as it came out of the tree to retrieve it's meal, I missed the bird totally, but have a picture with feathers falling down to the gound.
Love you site. There is a flock of Robins here in IL this morning. Totally strange. We never see them this early.
Brown Bag,
Sharp-shinned Hawks are attracted to places where birds gather whether that be a coastal migration hotspot, or a backyard feeder.
Feeders provide much good for birds and they are always on the lookout for danger. We try to place feeders near cover where they can dive in to avoid a hawk attack, places like brush piles, thick shrubs or dense evergreens. Theoretically hawks will take the weaker, slower, sick or otherwise compromised birds first thereby ensuring the "survival of the fittest."
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