It’s been a while since I focused my big lens on the Happy Eater tree, but now all the leaves are gone it’s easier to get some clearer shots of my little visitors. The branches still get in the way a bit, but I’m loathe to chop any off, can’t hurt a tree FFS, not even for photography 🙂
SO I spent an hour this morning watching the comings and goings of the usual suspects, blue tits, great tits and sparrows, hoping something different might turn up. There was a fleeting visit from a coal tit, but I didn’t get a decent shot of him sadly. So this was going to be my shot of the day
but just as I was about to get up and make a cuppa a big splodge landed in the tree, I wasn’t sure what it was at first as I was looking through the viewfinder when it landed, but I shot off a few rounds and then stopped and had a look. I couldn’t believe it as I am pretty sure this is the local sparrow hawk. You might remember (probably not 🤣) I got this shot of it back on day 218
so I am cockahoopy about it landing so close in my tree and getting a few shots of it. It didn’t catch any of my little birds, they skedadled toot sweet, but it didn’t look bothered, sitting there being all magnificent. Wish it had been facing me instead of the other way, but you can’t have it all I guess!
Fraggle's Otherverse 
Raptors are such magnificent birds, as are owls. Here we have red-tailed hawks and a few others, but they are hard to catch of course. Lucky you to have seen this beauty so close up – and with camera in hand.
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I know, it was quite exciting! Cheers Naomi.
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Nice captures of both birds, FR. I have never seen a sparrowhawk around the garden, but there are lots over on Hoe Rough.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete, lucky you to see so many!
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They are mostly ‘hovering’. Also Buzzards, according to a dog-walking lady who is a keen bird-watcher. 🙂
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I love the little ones, but there’s no denying the magnificence of raptors.😊
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It was a beauty, cheers Kim!
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Oh you lucky bugger!Ive yet to see our local one close up. Once he took a wee bird from my hedge while I was talking to the neighbour but I was facing the wrong way!Nice one!
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Cheers Missis, it was a right treat!
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Oh wow, it’s great to see patience paid off like that!
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Thanks Jay!
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Nice 🙂
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