Hawk in hedge

Sparrow hawk
The sparrows have learned to dive into the thorn hedge and stay there when a Sprawk appears in the garden. This one however has learned to get inside the hedge to flush them out.
Through room window.
Bit of a job with this one . Very dark and noisy, so selective background softening and neat image.
Levels
D200 Sigma 100- 300mm
800ISO
80th @ 5.6
Cheers
JohnR

Great shot John,very different!!

Peekaboo!!!!!

Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk

Outstanding shot John,

Very different.

Rob

Thanks both.
Been trying to work it out and I reckon it was about 5 foot from the window.
Pity about the large OOF bits but they are my woodpecker perches and stuff.
Cheers
JohnR

A good intimate view.
I don't find the out of focus bits a problem, in fact I find them an almost essential part of the scene, in so much as they frame the bird and give the impression the bird is almost hiding and waiting for an oppurtunity to strike.

nice picture Jonh
Marek

Stunning shot John !

Drew

Very striking and effective image John, and no hiding place for the poor sparrows.

John

Thanks all.
Interesting about these sparrows (and other birds )
They go into the thick thorn hedge and just stay there. The Sprawk usually hops about on the top waiting for one to bolt. (Flapping about all over the place.)
If one does bolt out of the hedge it usually gets clobbered. I have known them stay there for half an hour.
Now though the Sparrow Hawk has started going into the hedge to drive them out, but can't get out fast enough (due to its size ),to get a good attack run !
Interesting change of habits
JohnR

cracking shot John, certainly a different take on the usual bird of prey shot, very refreshing to see.

Colin

I like this a lot John. It's intriguing and the expression on the bird's face is priceless.

Very different John, really like it. I've got one that sits on top of the shed, but nothing as active as yours.

Dave

They never stop being awesome encounters and when you mange to bag them via the camera it all comes together.. Well done indeed John, something different for your 'vast' library ..

Brett

I like this a lot John, its almost the sparrow's view hiding away inside the hedge with the sparrowhawk sticking its head in trying to grab them

Very nice and sharp in all the right places.

This is a really well-obseved shot John. I have seen them a couple of times times chasing sparrows 'on foot' through garden hedges but never seen them catch anything. If I remember correctly on both occasions it was in periods of hard weather.
Such a different shot from the norm.
Eric

This is a great capture, John I like it very much.

Wonderfull, even to get a sharp shot of a sparrowhawk is an acheivement but this!

One last comment, have you thought of writing your wildlife photography diary?

Ian

Thanks all for your comments.
Ian
Thought about it many times but I seem to spend so much time taking pics !
One day maybe if I live long enough.
Cheers
JohnR