Moments From Nature's Secrets

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Mikepércs: Sparrow Hawk Attacking Again

I left for photography this morning in a really thick fog. I could see as far as 20 meters! In this condition the first pictures were a bit "foggy":

Great Tit

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Then the fog started to clear:

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Suddenly I could hear a shrill from the tits and the sparrow hawk appeared at once. He landed on the heap of branches near the feeder and looked down among the branches with interest, as the sparrows often hide in them, espacially in case of emergency. Then he settled right on the branch wich I placed there especially for him:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Sparrow Hawk (male)

He stayed there for a while, was preening himself, ...:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

... and was looking with excitement at the flying small birds:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Stretching ...:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

... then scratching took place:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Meanwhile the Sun started to shine:

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Sparrow Hawk (male)

Suddenly he aimed at something and flew away. So the small birds could come back:

Marsh Tit

The sparrow hawk returned soon but landed on a branch lying in the grass. I was very afraid that I couldn't see it well as he was preening himself so nicely. Then he flew off again to return soon. He landed even on the side of the bathing pool, but this time he was too close, I wasn't able to take photos of him (It would have been a nice portrait). He settled a few minutes on top of the hide then next to it before he eventually flew off. So the small birds returned again:

Eurasian Tree Sparrows

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

I tried to take some action shots as the sparrows were spatting a lot. These were not very successful attempts because there wasn't too much light. This is the only shot acceptable:

Eurasian Tree Sparrows

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

I left for home around noon with delight having caught this male sparrow hawk which is about to become a regular guest.

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