Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Amazing Pooper's Hawk



No, that isn't a typo, believe it or not, it was the intended post title! You'll see why soon enough.

I have so many pictures of our recent snow, but I thought the Cooper's hawk deserved a post all its own.

As I was walking through the kitchen yesterday I noticed this one in the backyard. Thankfully I had my camera on the table, and was able to start snapping pictures through the sliding glass doors.


Usually when I photograph birds I keep it on the action setting so I can attempt to catch them in flight. This also allows me to take pictures in rapid succession. I sometimes don't even know what I have until I upload them to the computer. You probably already know what's coming, don't you?



I'm sorry if anyone thinks this is immature or gross, (like my husband does), but I thought it was just too funny not to share.



I've yet to see them catch anything from the bird feeders this winter. Today I noticed all of the birds flying away and went to the window to watch. The birds were gone for several seconds before the Cooper's hawk flew into the yard. I wondered how they knew it was coming. Birds are so incredibly interesting.

37 comments:

F Cameron said...

LOL! I figured it was a play on words. You got my attention very quickly! :-)

Beautiful birds! Your photos are fantastic (I need to just cut and paste that in your blog every time I visit).

Lots of hawks around lately. They've been watching our bird feeders a bit too often for comfort.

Cameron

Anonymous said...

Clever pun! lol I had one of these beautiful birds in my yard this week. The same thought crossed my mine too, how do they know it's coming. Must be that survival instinct kicking in! :)

Aunt Debbi/kurts mom said...

hahahah

Tessa said...

Funny! Not gross at all, just part of everyday (or every other day for some- he he) part of life. Hasn't your husband ever read the book Everyone Poops?

healingmagichands said...

Well, the little birds in my garden have sentries posted watching for the predator's arrival, and that is how they know it is coming around the corner of the house. The finches in the front yard are yelling a warning.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

That Cooper's hawk is one pretty bird of prey. Birds of prey are my favourites so I can never see enough pics of them. Thanks for showing this new variety of Cooper's Hawk, the Pooper's Hawk and it is an action pic too. Well done. ;-)

beckie said...

Robin, the pictures look like you could reach ou and touch that beautiful hawk! A thrilling site to see-for us anyway-not for the birds at the feeder.

Not gross, just funny! Thanks for sharing. :}

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Funny that you caught the Coop "in action". Heck it is a good photograph. I bet not many people have a shot like this. Tee hee...

Daphne Gould said...

LOL I see you are getting some free fertilizer for your garden.

Unknown said...

Great photos, very funny. I wonder if the Super-pooper-Cooper could be borrowed to chase away the starlings we have here? It's the first year we've ever had starlings hanging around and while there are only a few, I don't want any. I keep hoping our crows will chase them off, but they're more interested in just eating and not deterring.

Patricia said...

LOL!!! Beautiful photos and interesting action shot! =)

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Oh the clarity of those photos is amazing and funny too! Great post.

Gail said...

Excellent capture! Robin! A beautiful bird...I think the little birds must see their shadows. In my garden the bluejays always warn the birds...but then the bluejays are a bit bossy!

Gail

Decadent Housewife said...

ROFL! This is just the best! Thanks for making my day!
:)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

That is too funny.I had to call my husband to have a look at this.We both had a good laugh.
Blessings,Ruth

Kerri Farley said...

How runny...I mean funny!
Pretty amazing captures...all of them :)

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

these are amazing pictures...my kids are huddled around looking at them, and now wondering how many inches of snow you had (the post with Lilly).
thanks for your comment on my blog..and yes I "told" my son I was posting this...if he had a problem, he definitely would have bawked. :)
when I speak, I also ask them if I can share stories..just to make sure.

Jan said...

I can't stop laughing, but I must say the photos are outstanding. You have a really, really good lens, I can tell. I'm just a novice, but it's fun. That series of photos would be great for a comic strip, literally!! And the eyes, they are so clear and I feel like he's looking right at me. I am going to show this to my 12 yr old son when he gets home today. You know 12 yr. old boys....

Anonymous said...

Hi Robin, while the act itself is kind of gross in a fifteen year old male bathroom fixation kind of way, your photograph was still amazing. Even through glass, ( I bet you keep the window cleaner company in the red!) the details of the feathers is crystal clear. You set the standard for bird photos, and all photos, my friend dear Robin. :-)
Frances

Barbarapc said...

You gave me a wonderful giggle. You do take some of the best bird photos (and apparently action photos too!)

Rose said...

Too funny, Robin. I was wondering when I saw your title--surely Robin meant to say that! Amazing photos; you certainly got a great action shot:)

I'm glad the birds at the feeders sensed the danger nearby and left before they became his lunch.

Mary said...

Not immature or gross! It was a great catch, Robin! That's a very pretty juvenile Pooper. Your photos are stunning.

I do always wonder how the birds know a hawk is near.

Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC photos Robin! Your birds need to teach my birds a lesson ~ they haven't caught on so fast when a hawk is near. Either that or my hawks need to train your Coopers! Although, he's still around so he's eating something.

Debbie said...

I think it is very funny, but then again, I am living with two little boys right now, so "bathroom humor" is at it's peak.

Gorgeous photos! You are amazing with your camera.

Anonymous said...

Ewww! I wouldn't want to be sitting under that tree. Actually, a grackle got me today. In Italy that's good luck, right? :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an action shot, He He,
I live in Indiana too, and I've had the unfortunate experience of stepping on the discards of a hawks dinner ,it must have dropped it flying over my fenced in yard.
(talk about gross), needless to say, I wont go barefoot in my own backyard again. I just love your photos!

Anonymous said...

I think that is great photography! I think the bird was thumbing his nose at you so to speak.

Anonymous said...

Rapid action is an appropriate explanation. The look on his face is priceless. Awesome photography.

Katarina said...

Ah, you got him there, didn't you? Fantastic pictures of a very impressive bird!
Katarina

Lee17 said...

Hahahahah! OMG! That was AWESOME! Do you think the hawk is embarrassed to have been caught on candid camera? Thanks for sharing ;)

inadvertent farmer said...

One of the best post titles I've heard, lol!

Great shot, very pretty bird. Tell hubby me must all be as juvenille cause I found it hilarious! Kim

Anonymous said...

Really nice photographs of this hawk. The nearest I get at home to a large bird is the occasional hoot from a nearby owl that I have never seen.
I love your macro photos.

Kylee Baumle said...

Oh my gosh, Robin! What a catch! Too funny! Tell your husband that he just doesn't know good humor when he hears it (or sees it). I, for one, am glad you posted this! Who can't use a smile like that?

And seriously, those are such fabulous photos of the hawk. I just want to SEE one!

Michelle said...

I think it's funny! And what fantastic photographs. I watch the hummingbirds do the same thing as they're sitting at the feeder - in one end and out the other in no time flat.

Anonymous said...

Well, poor taste among hawk bathroom break community or not, those are great shots of the hawk. What camera and lens are you using?

Robin's Nesting Place said...

MacGardens, for the hawk pictures I was using the Canon 50D with the 75-300mm lens.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comments!

Marie-Monique said...

superbes photos!!!vraiment génial!!à bientôt