Sharp-shin Hawk visits me

[Rob'in'To]

So, I missed all the action yesterday in the backyard...  well, 95% of the action.  I happened to look out my kitchen window, figuring it was another quiet day at the feeders (this winter has been bad for backyard birding with the lack of snow) when I noticed a Sharp-shin Hawk sitting in one of my apple trees.  I could see some feathers stuck to his one foot and along the branch.  I made certain that he was done his meal before attempting to venture outside and closer to him, despite the heavy rain.  I put a bag over the camera, walked around the house, and slowly towards him.  I got about 25 ft from him, and a few minutes later I turned around and left him in the same spot.  I wondered how much closer I could have gotten?  He remained in this position for another 45 mins or so before leaving.

Shot from the kitchen window with my Sigma 150-500mm lens zoomed all the way out...



From the corner of the house, backyard swing almost in the way...



Still moving in closer, he sure knows I am here, but is unfazed...



My closest point with him before I chose to turn away...

[lovemypt]

great series Rob, especially the 3rd with the " I didn't do it...it was here when I came look!!"

bet you like your new lens now

[Rob'in'To]

Can I get a "hell yeah!" to the new lens?  

[jackbreakfast]

So glad the 150-500 is working out for you! I've heard good things about the lens...how is it for hand-holding, and do you enjoy walking around with the thing for many miles? Or kilometres?
Thank you for sharing these sweethearted pictures...
Jack Breakfast

[Reg]

Great set Rob. I have them in my back yard also, checking out my feeders.

[BoboBird]

Friendly hawk - what more can one ask for? Eagle?

Nice shots.

[Bird Brain]

Cool pix.  

Rob ... I've sighted a Sharpie out here for the last 5 days in a row.  He's pretty much got easy pickings thanks to the rooftop of Meadowvale Town Centre and lots of Rock Pigeon.  The hawk has no qualms about flying right above my head and in front of my face - talk about getting a close up look!  Cooper's and Red-tailed at Lake Aquitaine do exactly the same thing.

[Rob'in'To]

Thanks guys!  I had a Sharpie again today, but I don't think it was the same one.  This one was quite skittish, you know very obvious different attitude.  It flew out of the tree right behind the house and went after a little runt of a grey Squirrel without success.  And when I stepped outside to check things out a little later, it saw me and off it went.  Funny how the other birds sense these things and minutes later all the regulars starting appearing again.

As for the lens...  it's heavy, and not exactly the most fun lugging around on a strap over my shoulder but I will suffer until I get something else for carting it around on my walks.  I am getting better at steadying it the more I use it, practicing on anything I can in the backyard.  I am quite excited about having it and hope to have some great shots in due time once I familiarize myself with a few settings.  A friend of mine today told me it's probably got a "sweet spot" which may not be at the 500 mark, perhaps 350 to 400?  I dunno.  Tech talk never sticks with me.