Monday, July 6, 2009

293 - Solitary

I just can't seem to get the timing right to get a good shot of a red-tailed hawk! I was driving home the other day, and saw this guy taking off from the top of a telephone pole. (Would love to have captured the takeoff!). I stopped the truck and got out as quickly as possible, but by then, of course, he was soaring high. I snapped a few anyway, and I kind of liked the look of this one, with him backed by all the little clouds. (The ongoing challenge to get a good close shot is still fun.)

I just love the red-tails. They are so majestic. (But they are one of the reasons I haven't gotten any chickens yet, which I want very much to do. Red-tails love chicken, feathers and all!) I miss seeing the pair that used to nest in the trees by the lake. A runway, directional windsock, etc. has gone in for radio-controlled airplanes. A couple of idiots chased the hawks with their planes, so the birds relocated to the other side of Lake Lavon.

I do have to wonder WHY humans have to be so stupid sometimes! (Sorry! Every time I think about that, it makes me angry all over again!)

But watching this fellow, and hearing his calls to his mate, who showed up just after I started driving again (of course!), eases my spirit. To be nonviolent and vegetarian, I don't understand why I'm so enthralled with predatory birds (and cats--I love the big ones as well as the domestic type)! But I am who I am. I love 'em!

6 comments:

  1. Count me in on being intrigued by these birds and cats too! I think this is a wonderful "solitary" picture - he looks so alone in that huge sky!

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  2. Good catch for the theme. I am quite fond of our neighborhood red-tailed hawk except that I'm not so fond of watching him eat his prey in my backyard.

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  3. Buy yourself a model plane and blow them outta the sky Girl. Call it Red Hawk Revenge. Could be the truck, if you find an area that they frequent take a seat and some meat for them, - They Will Come! Or build a baseball diamond.

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  4. This is a great photograph for this theme. I'm always on the lookout for a hawk to photograph.

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  5. i love the hawk soaring with those nice puffy clouds. I hope you get the shot of your dreams but they sure get high fast!

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  6. Great picture for the theme. Well done getting a picture at all if you ask me - I usually get seasick when I "hunt" birds with the camera. ;)

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