Sharp-shinned Hawk. Nikon D300s, 200-400mm f4, 1.4x TC, Gitzo CF tripod.
I just got a brand new 7-week old puppy. I know the photo of the sharp-shinned hawk doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with a puppy, but it is because of the puppy that I have the photo of the sharp-shinned hawk.
You see, owning a puppy is just like having a baby kid around the house again. Crying. Peeing. Pooping. Feeding. Then more crying, peeing, pooping and feeding. Early this morning at 5:45am our new puppy had to go outside for a potty break, so I happily obliged. Like most pet owners, I put on my shoes and hung out in the yard while she did her business. Across the yard, I noticed a small gathering of finches and warblers in a tree. I know from past experience that these small birds attract larger birds of prey, so I kept an eye out for any small hawks.
A few minutes later, a Sharp-shinned Hawk landed on a branch adjacent to the group of song birds. He was looking for breakfast and was intently watching the birds in the other tree. I ran inside, grabbed my Nikon D300s with the 200-400mm f4 and 1.4x teleconverter. I set up my tripod about 40 feet away from the hawk and snapped 15 shots before he flew into the adjacent tree with all the finches and warblers. I don’t know if he found a meal, but I got my shot.
Thank goodness for puppies.
Sadie. Nikon D7000, 18-105mm, handheld.
