The last bird I photographed yesterday at Farmington Bay WMA was a surprise Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew in so close I could only take portraits of her or him. I believe the handsome accipiter is a him because of the overall blue-gray color of the uppersides of the bird.
Autumn Sharp-shinned Hawk close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I was located in a spot where there were numerous small birds, including finches, siskins, and sparrows. The Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in, hoping for a meal, but the small birds scattered quicker than the hawk arrived.
For the second time in a week, I was gobsmacked.
Sharp-shinned Hawks are birds that I don’t encounter very often, and I don’t have many photos of them in my galleries.
But there was this beautiful bird perched in front of me. My camera lens was already focused on the greasewood, so all I had to do was lock focus and press the shutter button.
Even though it was 10:36 in the morning, the light was still nice because, at this time of the year, the sun is lower on the horizon than it is in the summer.
Sharp-shinned Hawk portrait at Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Before the gorgeous hawk flew off I was only able to take seven images of it. I couldn’t help but let out a whoop after it left because I was surprised, excited, and thoroughly delighted that all but one of my photos of this bird were sharp.
I must admit that I fibbed earlier when I said I was gobsmacked for the second time in a week.
In reality, this hawk was my third gobsmack in the past week. The first one involved a battle between a Belted Kingfisher and a Merlin which I shared yesterday.
Stay tuned for my second gobsmack, which will be coming soon to a device near you!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sharp-shinned Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Absolutely stunning portraits! The eye contact is amazing and the detail is, as always, extraordinary. Thanks Mia.
What a lovely intro to another gorgeous raptor. Thanks so much. I would love to be gobsmacked like that!
Amazing beautiful images and so Sharp😁😉
Lovely portrait and detail! I still have two hanging around in my yard along with two Cooper’s. Almost every time I go out in the back one is there. There have been some great fights between them but they always fly towards the gully where I can’t photograph.
I have never seen this hawk variety. Thank you for the introduction!-Jeri S.
Astoundingly beautiful!
MAGNIFICENT.
Beautiful. They look so crazy!
The eye is mesmerizing! Wow! Fantastic portrait shots.