Friday, December 5, 2014

Red and Grace

Last weekend, I went back to City Park Lakes to stalk Grace. She and her competitor, a Great Egret, were not having much luck fishing. It didn't matter (to me anyway), because out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a large raptor-type bird about two football fields away, on the golf course. Suddenly, another appeared. My heart skipped a beat. Does anyone else get as excited as I do when there is a chance to photograph a cool bird? I have seen many hawks, but never have I gotten close enough to get decent photos. Here was my chance, y'all!

I did my usual: walk stealthily as close as I dare, snap off a few, advance another few steps; lather, rinse and repeat. Finally, I was about 30' (9 meters) away. That was as close as the pair allowed. They flew into different trees, so naturally I continued my stalking maneuvers to the closest tree. The tree vantage point let me get even closer. I was thrilled!







Later, I tried my best to make an identification. The more I Googled, the more confused I became. Our trusty blogging friend, TexWisGirl, came to my rescue! Thank you so much. Just to make sure––not that I don't trust you, T––I put some of the pics on Facebook. Most all agreed it was a Red-tailed Hawk. 

Hope you enjoyed my hawk pics. Although I just posted Grace on Monday, I am using her again today for my HAPPY DANCE! If I danced in public (which is a rarity), this is what I would look like. Why a happy dance? My daughter and her fiancé arrive tomorrow! I can hardly contain myself. Unfortunately, this means I have to take another short blogging break, but hopefully I will be back with stories and photos to share. Y'all have a good week. :)

P.S. This is my 1000th post. Geaux me!

42 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, congrats on your 1000th post.. And awesome shots of the Red-tailed Hawk.. Cool capture of the Egret dance.. Have a fun time with your daughter.. Happy weekend!

The Cranky said...

Congrats on your 1,000th post and on the visit from your daughter and her fiancee. I know you're going to have a fabulous time and can't wait to read all about it!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

woot woot for great shots and 1k posts.

I'm glad I found you before you got to 2k posts. Love your pix, you know that.

Shug said...

I am AMAZED at these photos....wait, no I'm not...your photography is always so Awesome! Theses shots are very detailed and it's just the kind of actions that are so interesting about the Hawk. Beautiful, Gail...

Bethany Carson said...

Congrats on 1000 posts!! Your shots of the hawks are beautiful; I especially like how you captured them in flight.

Anvilcloud said...

The clarity of your photos is outstanding.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Happy 100th post!

Your hawk pictures are SO amazing! I love the one where he is low off the ground with his wings spread, just starting to fly. So cool.

Anonymous said...

I thought he might be a broad-tailed hawk from his markings. Can't see the top of his tail, but it should be red if he's a red-tailed hawk. Also was he very large?

Beautiful photos.

Stephanie said...

1000th post - way to go, Gail :) Your posts are always a treat.

Beautiful pictures, my friend. The shots are truly amazing!

Love and hugs to you!

TexWisGirl said...

you're so cute. 2nd, 3rd, 20th opinions are always good! :)

great, great hawk shots! really great!

enjoy that time with family!!!

nookworm said...

" lather, rinse and repeat" How funny you are, besides being a stalker. And this post is your celebration of 1,000 posts? YES!!!! Congratulations and honors to you for your magnificent pictures. What is Geaux? Have a wonderful visit with your daughter and fiancé!

Irma said...

Beautiful series images of the red-tailed hawk.
Photos 1, 2 and 5 are my favorite.
Perfect photographed, my compliments.
Best regards, Irma

Inspired By June said...

I'm doing the happy dance with you, Gail - what a fabulous opportunity - and awesome shots {as always}. So excited for your daughter's visit. I know you will have a blessed time. Congratulations on your 1000th post!

Wally Jones said...

Superb photographs of the Red-tailed Hawk in action!

And Grace is always beautiful.

(For schmidleysscribblins: this appears to be an immature bird. It takes about a year for the Red-tailed Hawk to achieve the characteristic reddish tail. The youngster's tail is brown with several darker bands.)

21 Wits said...

See now this is where stalking is so necessary and I'm no we're all better off for you going and doing it. What great photos, oh my these should go somewhere for big money! Especially the eye stare= like who me! I just adored all of these.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The photos of the Red-tialed Hawk are amazing.I would do a happy dance as well,if I could get them that close.Enjoy the family over the next days.I will be looking for updates and photos once you have time.

Deanna said...

Wow, amazing photos of that Red Tailed Hawk. We do have those around here but I have never been quite that close to one. Enjoy your time with your family and hope your holidays are joy-filled!!

beth said...

wow….those eyes that are staring right at you….holy cow!!!!

hootnonny said...

Grace cutting a rug makes me happy! The hawk pics are awesome. Its' markings are like the one I did through the tree limbs w/a 200 mm lens, which was a red tail. Of course, my shot does not compare!

Christian Perrin said...

I know that feeling of seeing a cool bird to photograph - and if I got shots that good, I'd be dancing like Grace!

What a stunning hawk, it really allowed itself to be seen from a variety of beautiful angles. And those withering eyes!

Anonymous said...

Geaux you!! Happy 1000th! These are such amazing shots, but I have to say I'm impressed you first spotted them that far away! Did you use your tripod for these?
Enjoy your visit!!

Brian King said...

Excellent! I love raptors!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Really fantastic hawk shots!

Stewart M said...

Splendid pictures - most birds of prey can be hard to ID - too many variations on a single theme!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Michelle said...

Enjoy your break!!! Your photos of the hawk are just spectacular. You really have a great eye!

Judi Gray said...

My goodness your photos are amazing! What a sighting- lucky you

Jeanne said...

Oh wow wow wow! Fantastic hawk shots. I have a red shouldered hawk in the neighborhood but she never sits still long enough for me to get a decent shot. I love these wonderful photos!

rainfield61 said...

I am thrilled too.....

sage said...

Great photos and congratulations on 1000 posts!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 1000th post! Awesome photos of the hawks. They're stunning birds.

Jen said...

Those are amazing shots of the Red-tailed Hawk. His tail is a bit pale, which would have probably made me second-guess myself, too.

Hootin Anni said...

Gail...I am in AWE!!!!

Indrani said...

Wow! Great capture in flight!
Congrats on your 1000th!

Unknown said...

1000 Whohoo Congratulations! Your pics are always so beautiful and detailed Gail. This is definitely a Red Tail, we have a gazillion of them.

diane b said...

fabulous bird shots and the happy dance is hilarious. Enjoy your family's visit.

Hilary said...

Gail, these are just incredible captures. You are amazing!

Congrats on your 1000th post and geaux you, indeed. You have seaux many gorgeous pheauxteauxs to sheaux for all of these peauxts. ;)

Helma said...

Blimey ....... what those beautiful pictures of the hawk !!! This I have never been so beautiful in the picture. You got him really nice close to photograph and also the colors and details are pretty sharp and clear. What a lucky man you are:-) I had to laugh at the Silver Reign.

Soper cool that your daughter and fiancé jhaar come.
Enjoy their visit:-)

Donna said...

Congrats on 1000 posts...my goodness. And I am so amazed at how you get so close to these animals...the closest we get to hawks is hundred yards away usually....love Grace's name..she is Graceful.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Very cool shots of the hawk and I love the last photo.it looks like he is doing the chicken dance.

A Colorful World said...

Fantastic photos! Wow...you got some great shots of those red-tailed hawks! And the egret shot is interesting. :-) 1000 posts! Wow! I am behind with everyone...just trying to get a little caught up this morning. Hope you have a fabulous, blessed Christmas!

Suzan said...

WOW!!! 1000th post!!!
Congratulations to you!!1
the hawk is awesome, especially the photo of him looking straight at you!! But I'm loving the egret!!! Trying not to get his feet wet????

Imagebloke said...

Stunning pictures