Lunch break for Juvy Northern Goshawk

[AgingEyes]

Got a sunny day today and so went out to pay the goshawks a visit. A little bit of patience later, got the opportunity to witness how a goshawk eats its lunch. I've taken more than 250 shots until it got tired of us and took off. And my card was almost full, too. At one point I believe I was within thirty feet from it. I was one of the six there. I managed to grab a couple of shots when it took off from a tree and dove towards that poor american wigeon. I didn't see the moment the hawk caught the duck though as the trees were in the way :mad2: :mad2:

Here's some of the shots for now:






The goshawk was very aware of our presence around it (it was an open area). I was the nearest one, and it did take the effort in the middle of the lunch to look into my lens Take a look at its throat/chest area:



Finally it took off and left. It flew by me but was too close for my prime lens and for me to adjust my position. This I think is the best I got:




Some of the photos I'm thinking may not be comfortable for some of you and so I chose not to post them.

[Ron Kruger]

Oh, MAN, what exceptional shots. Some of them are a little too bloody for general consumption, but that first shot is so good I was stunned, and then each shot seemed to get more dramatic and real. Wildlife photography just doesn't get any better than that. I'm envious.

[Loupey]

AgingEyes - these are terrific! I love the one of it looking directly at you.

[AgingEyes]

Thanks guys!

It turned out somebody did manage to get a shot of the goshawk airborne with the american wigeon in its talons. In that photo, the duck is clearly seen, like it was desperately calling for help.

[OldClicker]

I can't decide whether I like #1 or #3 bet. I just keep going back and forth saying, "this one" to both. Great shots. - TF

[Jaedon]

Outstanding opportunity well taken advantage of. Your images are so crisp for the amount my hands would've been shaking with a shot like that. Simply perfect. I love #3 for the perfect exposure of the backlit bird. I love The last one for your timing. Wow!

[paulnj]

These are rare images where I come from and the 3rd is indeed simply amazing!

[scott-devon]

Absolutely stunning series, I am completely envious not only of the opportunity but your ability to capture it so beautifully.

[Knight]

Wow what a series AA , a rare event and so well captured . I had a Broad-Winged Hawk kill a Blue Jay at my feeders the other day ,only got a few very bad pictures

[Dylan8i]

Wow this is a great series. I think these are better than the single image you just posted, the all white background just bothers me a bit in that one.

my vote is bring on the guts! post some more

[AgingEyes]

my vote is bring on the guts! post some more

You sure you want the guts? :wink5: :wink5:

I guess I somehow picked the right day to go, with the hawk landed on the right spot and stayed there for so long for all of us to see and photograph.

Thanks guys for the nice comments !

[spiraleyes]

A M A Z I N G !!!! What a terrific series with clear and sharp shots!! thanks for sharing these.

This series alone makes me want to take a day off of work to go find some birds to shoot!

[Dylan8i]

You sure you want the guts? :wink5: :wink5:

yeah, i don't mind at all, just put a warning or something

[A.M.D.A.]

Congratulations on Featured Photo! :thumbsup:

Fantastic shots, so sharp...

[AgingEyes]

yeah, i don't mind at all, just put a warning or something

OK. Go check them out then !!

[bluesguy]

Wow!! and double Wow. You killed it!. Photo #3 does it for me. The hawk looking into your lens has a lot of attitude, as if to say, "what is your problem and do you want a piece of me"
Not having a non-white background to me is irrelevant. , you can't always choose the perfect background anyway. The shots depict Nature in the raw which is real and relevant not some artificial and antiseptic photo-op. Having assisted in many hog and chicken slaughters may afford me a different perspective on the "blood and guts"


bluesguy

[Rivman]

Nature as it really is - very powerful images, well done ! :thumbsup: