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Morning all,
picture it....
I was sitting in the conservatory with a cup of coffee, watching the 10 Blackbirds argue, the Robin come and go and the Sparrows chatter and flutter about. Then all of a sudden one of the female Blackbirds let out a panic stricken alarm call, everyone scattered and the Female Sparrowhawk flew like lightning from the side of the house and landed on the neighbour's shed.
I managed to get a few shots of her (the light isn't too good since its snowing), and then she was off.
I didn't have chance to change the focus points of the camera, hence why she's in the bottom of the photo :o)
Its also a good job my coffee wasn't hot - I jumped a mile and it went everywhere! I was soaked in coffee snapping away and overcome by the surprise, lol!
I'm surprised its taken this long for her to show up considering the weather. Especially since she's been a visitor here for a while now (few years), She has white patches on the back of her head that I recognise :o)
Amazing pictures !!! and a beautiful bird ! I know they prey on small birds but thats nature and i do love to see all these lovly birds that we are so lucky to se around our country !! Well done for capturing a special moment...
Neil
If it aint broken, dont fix it !.... all good things come to those who wait !
Great shots Paul. You did very well to capture her - they move so fast.
We're all getting something special this morning.
TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Good shots Paul. What a surprise visitor, and good she gave you time to capture the moment. Very special.
Have you done a small bird count, or was she unlucky! LOL
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Thanks for your comment everyone. I was somewhat surprised to see her here - and extremely grateful my coffee wasn't hot, lol!
She doesn't usually come into the garden the way she did, in fact we let the confiers grow close to the side of the house so she couldn't get through that way, doesn't seem to be working though!
Sparrow - lol! She didn't get anything this time. When she landed on the shed she looked around to see if any other birds were still around, nothing was so she flew off and disappeared.
I always wonder where they go
Hi Paul
Fab fab fab!! shot of the Sparrowhawk
That would be the icing on the cake to see one as close as you have
Well done for the clear shots of the bird {thumbs up}
You had a steady hand despite of the speed of the Sparrowhawk.
Yes, a Sparrowhawk can empty a room full of birds very fast {oops!}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Morning Kathy, thank for your comments.
I confess - the shots weren't taken handheld. I'm terrible for camera shake at the best of times so there would be no way I'd manage these photos with all the excitement!
On her last visit here, where she caught something, a sparrow I think, which is unusually small for her, one very brave/silly sparrow flew over her head and into the conifer. You could see the cogs going round whether it was worth going in for dessert or not, lol!
Within minutes all the other birds were back chirrping and eating - although that's bound to encourage her back.
Wow - what fantastic photos Paul, very well done on getting them. I frequently end up with photos where the subject matter is off centre as they don't often hang around long enough for all the twiddling required so it's a case of "if it's in the frame somewhere, that's good enough".
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Paul, you did so well to capture a photograph at all. Brilliant photos. Thanks
Brilliant photos Paul and a very nice visitor to have!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Wow! Superb shots Paul! Especially as it was so unexpected for you! As Kat says, a fantastic visitor to have!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr