Sunday, November 05, 2006

Cooper's Hawk - once again

The juvenile Cooper's Hawk has been causing havoc in our patio. When I look out and see no birds, I'm pretty sure it's around. On Saturday morning, this handsome bird was sitting on the wall. I had the 100 mm. macro lens on the camera and didn't have time to change it, but managed to get a couple of shots before it flew away.
(Click on photos for enlargements)
On Sunday, I tried again with the zoom lens set at 200 mm. The hawk stared at me as I came closer and closer, but didn't seem at all fazed by my presence. Eventually, it flew up into the mesquite tree,but not before it had posed handsomely for me.This Cooper's Hawk is the only one that hangs out regularly in our backyard. We've seen several other hawks in the neighbourhood, including Red-tailed Hawks, Harris Hawks and at least one adult Cooper's Hawk which came into our yard about a month ago. Three Red-tailed Hawks, a female and two juveniles, hunt from a gigantic eucalyptus tree across the street in the mornings.

Other posts about Cooper's Hawks in our backyard:
09-13-06 - Cooper's Hawk (my first sighting of one)
10-03-06 - Adult Cooper's Hawk
10-04-06 - Cooper's Hawk in our Backyard (summary post - for IATB)

15 comments:

robin andrea said...

He's a beauty, Pam. Such great photos. He does pose for you!

T. Beth said...

I'm amazed at all of the lovely Cooper's Hawk photos you've managed to get! Nice trees for them to hide in, water for drinking and bathing in (they love to take baths), and a plentiful supply of bird feeder birds... Your neighborhood must have all three for Cooper's Hawks to be such regular visitors.

Pam in Tucson said...

ra- The juveniles are so fearless. My little grandsons saw him low in a mesquite and were able to watch him from about 10 feet away. They were thrilled.

t.beth - I don't know where they're bathing. Perhaps in the duck pond in Country Club Estates. Lots of trees, of course. This one's the young prima donna. The adult flew away when it saw me come out of the house.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures Pam!!

Our Coop and Sharpy are way to shy!

Dawn

LauraHinNJ said...

I love to see the detail in its breast feathers! Surprised it let you get so close.

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful guest there in your garden, Pam. Very nice photos!

Duncan said...

What a bird! Beautifully photographed, Pam.

Anonymous said...

How beautiful! Here in Boston I see red-tailed hawks, owls and sometimes falcons, right here in the city. But I need to get out to the country sometime soon!

Endment said...

What wonderful photos --- These are simply great!!!

Pam in Tucson said...

Thank you, endment. Great to have a bird that seems to love the attention. I still haven't managed to photograph any of the sparrows at our feeders - they're much too quick for me.

Mary said...

beautiful photos.

Pam in Tucson said...

Thank you, Mary.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Pam! Sensational photos of a very handsome bird.

Pam in Tucson said...

Thanks to all who commented. I was very happy with these photos, but can't really take the credit. The model posed perfectly :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous bird. I had a Cooper's in my back yard in Chicago a few weeks ago. I was so thrilled. If you are interested here is a link to my photo.
I think this bird profits from the bird feeders my neighbor and I have.