Tim Kuhn wrote:
Amazing, great expressions and wonderful work on your end. Fantastic job!
Tim
Thanks, Tim. I can't claim much credit for skill in these pictures, I just saw it happening and held down the shutter release, the hawks did everything else! I was overjoyed to have captured it, though. Thanks for the comment.
Edward Rotberg wrote:
Wonderful series Chris. I guess this erases any doubt for sure! Well done and thanks for posting!
= Ed =
Thanks, Ed. I knew when she starting calling that I had solved the ID mystery, but then capturing the mating was just amazing, I could not get over having seen that!
Thanks, Mark. The proper ID of the female was not only the subject of discussion here, but also among a number of Atlanta birders, most of whom actually thought it was a Cooper's. So it was nice to get that controversy resolved! Thanks for the comment.
A lot of what goes into successful shots depends greatly on opportunities, and you made the most of yours. Well done, Chris. These are awesome captures.
Socrate
GeneO wrote:
Kewl shots. Especially the adult and juvenile together. Show how difficult ID can be at times. Nice work Chiris and tahnks for the follow-up!
Gene
Thanks Gene! I wonder how old the female really is -- presumably she would have hatched out last spring, I guess, so she may be close to a year old. Any thoughts on that? Can she sucessfully breed even if she is still in immature plumage? I guess we'll see ...
Shasoc wrote:
A lot of what goes into successful shots depends greatly on opportunities, and you made the most of yours. Well done, Chris. These are awesome captures.
Socrate
Thanks, Socrate. I really appreciate the comments.
Karl Witt wrote:
Astonishing capture! Holy cow you must have been close. What an experience, what a reward. Your pictures do a great job telling the story.
Karl
Thanks, Karl, of course I wish I had been closer or that the mating pair had not been in the middle of that tree, but I am still overjoyed at getting the opportunity to take this sequence. I am glad you liked them, and thanks for the comments.
Doug Bentlage wrote:
Excellent series Chris! Way to take advantage of the situation, your shots are magnificent!
Doug
Thanks, Doug. I feel like I am developing a rapport with this female hawk, hopefully I will be able to photograph her again sometime soon, this time with chicks!
MaggieBee wrote:
An amazing set of images and what perfect timing on your part, Chris. Fantastic detail in all. Great job
Thanks, Maggie. I am over the moon about having taken these pictures, but I definitely attribute it to just getting lucky! The hawks were being so noisy, it was really easy to follow them around, and the female was sitting still for long stretches of time, so she is the one that made these pictures possible!
HA=HA=HA= O boy don't you just love nature and raptors. I was about 98% on the RSH as I have been so familar with them nesting but with raptors I have learned you can never be sure as plumage and post processing can make a difference but this is just great what a catch the proof is in that photo. I don't believe that bird is old enought to mate and its a good chance the one on top is
should I say as horney as an owl I really find that hard to think they are going to mate as the one is I bet last years nesting. Has no red to the shoulder at all and they do mat for life. I'm going with this being one of the nestings of the adult above and returning to the nest area. The nest (if you have not found it yet) should be in the first heavey crotch of a hardwood (maple or oak) and the hight don't matter just the crotch has to be the first heavy one up. So if you don't know where the nest is look in stands of hardwoods, no pines or hemlock. Great photo I am happy for you and all that got to see this.
Lou
lbuscher wrote:
HA=HA=HA= O boy don't you just love nature and raptors. I was about 98% on the RSH as I have been so familar with them nesting but with raptors I have learned you can never be sure as plumage and post processing can make a difference but this is just great what a catch the proof is in that photo. I don't believe that bird is old enought to mate and its a good chance the one on top is
should I say as horney as an owl I really find that hard to think they are going to mate as the one is I bet last years nesting. Has no red to the shoulder at all and they do mat for life. I'm going with this being one of the nestings of the adult above and returning to the nest area. The nest (if you have not found it yet) should be in the first heavey crotch of a hardwood (maple or oak) and the hight don't matter just the crotch has to be the first heavy one up. So if you don't know where the nest is look in stands of hardwoods, no pines or hemlock. Great photo I am happy for you and all that got to see this.
Lou...Show more →
Thanks Lou, and it is definitely interesting hearing your comments about the female's age and origin. This is an area with at least one pair of adult RSH's and their nest location is known to the birders that frequent the area (they have promised to show it to me). I will keep looking for this young lady and see if she does anything interesting.
Don't you feel great that you called this one correctly last week as a RSH?
Chris
Hey Chris, Funny, I just saw your post on the GABO the other day and then saw this thread here and said to myself, "boy these shots look familiar" great captures by the way, I am down in Savannah. Haven't posted lately, GABO or FM. Trying to get back into the swing I guess.
Hi Shawn, yep, I posted a link to these on GABO -- the site where I shot the pictures was introduced to me by several Atlanta GABO people -- three of them actually work in the office building right next to where I shot the whole series. I have been hearing great things lately about Harris Neck NWR, so I may take a trip to your area sometime soon.
Thanks for looking!
Chris
Chris Willis wrote:
Thanks Lou, and it is definitely interesting hearing your comments about the female's age and origin. This is an area with at least one pair of adult RSH's and their nest location is known to the birders that frequent the area (they have promised to show it to me). I will keep looking for this young lady and see if she does anything interesting.
Don't you feel great that you called this one correctly last week as a RSH?
Chris
Chris, Just a tip in case you find their nest. If it is in April good chance she is incubating and if the nest is in a high crotch you won't be able to see in if you get close but she will lt you know right away so if this should happen back off for at least 3 weeks as they will abanon eggs much eaiser than they will young. Also suggest a preatator guard around the base of the tree and any small one that will give a raccoon access to the nest be blocked off or cut down also. Be careful if on private property so ask first.
Lou
Thanks for looking!