If you like birds of prey

[Maestro]

you may like some photos I put in the photography forum or you can just look in my journal.

The first set is of an American Kestrel, one of the smallest raptors. http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Maestro/59
The next set is of a large raptor, a Red Tailed Hawk. http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Maestro/58

Be patient. If you are on dial-up, it may take a while to load. Enjoy.

[mduffy31]

1. That first picture of the Hawk is amazing

It looks like it is telling you don't fuck with me or I'll tear your throat out.

[Maestro]

4. Thanks.

These hawks usually do not let me get too close, but I am pretty sure it was eyeing some supper when I came upon it so it let me snap a few pics.

[Kajsa]

7. I agree. That Hawk is beautiful.

These are really great photos, Maestro!

Thanks for sharing them.

:hi:

[Book Lover]

2. I thought it was going to be one of these

[Maestro]

3. Trekki?

No, these birds of prey are the real deal.

[sakabatou]

5. Somehow, I'm getting memories of the book series, "Animorphs"

[Maestro]

17. I am not completely knowledgeable

of all the different types of hawks. That could be a Cooper's Hawk, but I am not sure. It's definitely a hawk though. ;)

[lildreamer316]

6. How beautiful

thank you...great pics. These birds always leave me breathless.

[BlueJazz]

8. Wow...the Red tail Hawk is so stately. He has a look that seems to be...

...saying "I'm a bad-ass and I know it"

[stuntcat]

9. thank you for showing them

they're Gorgeous pictures, I'm glad you took a lot of each bird.
This is the hawk I caught in my yard. And I'm in a city, I'm just lucky I didn't miss it-
?v=0
His foot was okay, he was holding it up just then.

[stuntcat]

10. (my picture links don't work sry)

:D

[Maestro]

18. Awesome pic!

That is really neat that he landed there right by you.

[peekaloo]

11. Very beautiful creatures.

Yet I dread seeing them in my backyard. Once a week I get a visit to my bird feeder by a neighboring hawk. Snags a dove and on occasion a squirrel. :-(

[Maestro]

19. Cricle of life I suppose.

Last year my family came across and abandoned bunny that was just born. We were nursing about a week. It's eyes opened so we began to walk with it outside in the grass. We never let it get more than a foot away from us. But one night I was out with bunny and an owl swooped down and took it off. The owl came so close I could feel the wind hitting my leg.

[sammythecat]

12. Great photos!

So sharp and clear it seemed I could feel the sun and breeze. Thanks

[Tsiyu]

13. Thanks for sharing your talent

My BF loves to take wildlife shots, and once practically camped out in a tree for weeks documenting the hatch and final goodbye of some baby owls.

Wildlife photography takes tremendous patience and I applaud your efforts.

BTW, I have a dog named Maestro so i always laugh when i see your DU name, thinking my dog is in the next room - posting and having fun on DU, too. :)

[Maestro]

20. Who knows? I could be your dog

with a friend who likes to take wildlife pictures. :)

[ContraBass Black]

14. This is my favorite kind.

[Maestro]

21. Funny, you are the second one in this thread to

mention this raptor. :)

[wildhorses]

15. very nice, thanks for sharing

for some reason i see some sadness in that hawk...he is gorgeous...as is the kestrel, thanks :)

[Maestro]

22. Well, he could pick a better area to claim as his territory.

He's not alone. His mate was in the next tree, but she was much more shy.

[wildhorses]

24. his territory is vanishing rapidly

no wonder he looks so sad and his mate is so shy:cry:

thanks again for the pix:)

[mwdem]

16. Great photos, Maestro.

I let my 2 kitties out in my backyard, but lately I haven't, unless I'm with them. There seems to be more and more hawks around here in my neighborhood lately. There are also more pics of missing cats and small dogs here!

[Maestro]

23. It would have to be one hungry hawk

to pick up a small cat or dog. They pretty much stick to rodent control, the ocassional snake, bunny, other birds, etc...I wouldn't worry too much about a hawk getting your kitties unless it is documented that for some reason in your area, hawks like cats.

[mwdem]

30. Actually, here in NRH, we've seen bigger birds.

I was walking my dog one early evening, and something huge flew off the roof of the house across the street, and went down between the houses right over the backyard fences. A dog was barking before, but got very quiet. I've seen some very large birds circling the neighborhoods lately.

[cwydro]

25. Great pics

thanks for posting them. Lots of raptors down here. Two weekends ago I saw a bald eagle, nest and baby. Got the pic right here on my desk. I've seen balds before but not down here, though I knew they were around. Got some great pics...

[Maestro]

26. Thanks

I got my first baldy pics just last month in January.

[cwydro]

27. can you post 'em?

I'm at work and can't be going to photobucket and all that...But i would love to see some baldy pics. I love that bird, thief though it so frequently is...

[Maestro]

28. I'm at work too so I have to wait until I get home.

But I will post them. Check back this evening. :)

[Maestro]

33. Here you go.

It was raining and overcast (practically freezing rain) so the pics are pretty underexposed as the available light was bad. The closest I could get was about 75 yards.

[wildhorses]

36. OMG those are fantastic and deserve their own thread

:wow:

[Maestro]

38. Thanks Wildhorses

You are very kind.

[bigwillq]

29. What beautiful pics!

I never expect less than beauty from you.

Thanks for sharing.

:hi:

[Maestro]

39. You're too nice.

Thank you. :hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. Thank you!

I enjoyed your pics! :thumbsup:

[driver8]

32. Absolutely beautiful. That Kestral is so cute...I don't know much about

them so I am going to do some reading.

If you like Bald Eagles, check these photos out. I used to live on Adak, Alaska in the Aleutians and we had Eagles living behind our house.

(I didn't take these, though.)

http://flickr.com/photos/amnwr/sets/137937/

[Maestro]

34. Those pics are incredible

and make mine pale in comparison. Really, they do not even compare. Wow!

[driver8]

35. Your pictures are very, very good.

The guy that took those was in the Aleutian islands -- there are eagles everywhere!!

[Maestro]

37. Mine were taken just outside of Llano, Texas

There is nesting pair there. I just wish the weather and light would have been better. Thanks for looking.