Thursday, December 16, 2010

Drama in the Sky

It was a gray day but otherwise pleasant so we decided to go for a walk. 
 We saw this kite perched in a tree. Nearby there was a red-tailed hawk in another tree. They were engaged in a call and response.  The kite has a rather pleasant, chirping call and the hawk a rather unpleasant screech.
Suddenly the kite took off and attacked the hawk, chasing it from its perch.
 It continued to harass the hawk until the hawk left the area.
We never know what we will see so its best to keep the cameras close at hand.

More views of the sky are to be found at SkyWatch Friday, hosted for us each week by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

22 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great series of pics with the two birds. Most people would have probably missed what was going on.

Yep, if you are a blogger you always have to keep your camera close.

Sylvia K said...

Terrific captures, Martha! And this time the gray skies make a great backdrop for the birds. Yogi is right, most people would have missed what was going on! Amazing how the more you carry the camera, the more you see and the more beauty you find! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

Great Series of photos. Boom & Gary Of The Vermilon River.

mick said...

Great series of photos of the birds in flight.

eileeninmd said...

Wow, awesome sight to see! Bot the Kite and hawk are cool sightings. Great actions shots.

Mike B. @ slugyard.com said...

Hawks seem to get picked on by a lot of other birds! I guess they get even in the end...

Kim, USA said...

That's a lot of drama on air. I think birds do get back if somebird picked on them too ^_^
Sky Watch

EG CameraGirl said...

I enjoyed reading your observations as you took these photo. I would love to know more about the secret life of birds.

Photo Cache said...

i enjoyed this birdwatching activity. have a lovely weekend. they say rain is here to stay.

My Sky Is Here

Gaelyn said...

Boy that was a great show well worth going out in the gray for. Interesting to see the extent of territory to be protected. You've documented this well. And I'm sure there's many more.

It's so gray here today I can barely see 100 feet.

Springman said...

This is an exciting post! You would be invited to contribute to World Bird Wednesday a meme for bird photographers to share their experiences, and photoblogs with each other. Stop by and check it out!

Roberto Machado Alves said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roberto Machado Alves said...

Great post. I love birds.
Congratulations.

Greetings from Roberto

Anonymous said...

Very true about the camera - and birds are the best foreground for the sky.

Barb said...

These are great shots, Martha - glad the camera was along for the walk. Can't believe the smaller Kite was bullying the bigger Hawk - guess you shouldn't judge a book by its cover (as my Mother used to say...).

clairz said...

This is a fine series, Martha. Love your header, too.

Carolyn Ford said...

I am amazed that a smaller bird has the gumption to attack a hawk! Wow! And, you caught it all as proof...great job! Wow!

Gigi Ann said...

What a great set of pictures of the birds. And a gray sky is just right to showcase the birds.

Yoshi said...

Great capture of the big birds! It's a pity that the sky was gray...
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Yoshi

fredamans said...

Grey skies but great shots with the birds in it!

http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2010/12/sky-friday_16.html

Gill - That British Woman said...

"We never know what we will see so its best to keep the cameras close at hand."

Very, very true!!

Gill in Canada

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Fabulous pictures of the chase! I always love how smaller birds are so fearless -- and usually triumphant -- in scaring away the bigger ones.

You are so right about always having your camera with you.