Sparrow hawk.
Through watching the martins closely its apparent what is happening. Most of the tunnels have got eggs, newly hatched young, half fledged and full fledged flying - in a combination of factors. Some have flying young and those just big enoughto get to the front. There is such chaos when the parents come in that some of the smaller chicks are getting pushed out. Also some don't let go of the parents beak quickly enough and get taken out when the adult flies off. The result ds chicks on the floor quite frequently. Thats why old sprawky is coming back so often.
This one was unusual though. This chick had managed to scramle along the ground away from the cliff face about 15 feet, and eventually died. It was there when I got to the hide. I left it, and when the Sparrow hawk came in an hour later he looked at it for ages then picked it up and flew back to the perch with it . He seemed confused, and after a while dropped the chick and flew off with out it !
Strange.
JohnR
Thats a fantastic shot John, the colour of the eye is superb, it really is a great opportunity you have here John, don't quite think envious describes how I'm feeling at this moment, top shot.
Who can possibly dislike seeing 'the dead stuff' coming up when it is in the context of nature. In my opinion if someone cannot face up to real life then don't photograph nature, get down to Disney World and photograph Bambi and those nice big mice !
A seriously good image John backed up by a mine of info. Great stuff.
Thanks all Wow !
Hope the mods don't mind me putting this on as its part of the story. This is where the chick was when he picked it up. You can see life goes on and the others are building. Look at the expression on the birds face ! This is when I did get to be a little bit soppy - but it passed !JohnR
I haven't seen a better shot of a genuine wild sparrowhawk in a long time. Superb John. It is amazing how unconcerned wildlife can be when close to the bodies of its own species. I was watching a rabbit carcase the other day in the hope of some crow and buzzard shots. The bait was gutted as it came from a friend's freezer, once intended as food but left a bit long. Another rabbit came and sat right next to it for an hour or so, just feeding on the grass. Couldn't have cared less.
Can't wait to see more of these.
Thanks for looking and your comments.
Maggie - In
the past the pics from this site have been said to have a red cast. Its because the sand is really that colour. Printing stuff done there is a nightmare !
Cheers
JohnR
Discussion
25 repliesThrough watching the martins closely its apparent what is happening. Most of the tunnels have got eggs, newly hatched young, half fledged and full fledged flying - in a combination of factors. Some have flying young and those just big enoughto get to the front. There is such chaos when the parents come in that some of the smaller chicks are getting pushed out. Also some don't let go of the parents beak quickly enough and get taken out when the adult flies off. The result ds chicks on the floor quite frequently. Thats why old sprawky is coming back so often.
This one was unusual though. This chick had managed to scramle along the ground away from the cliff face about 15 feet, and eventually died. It was there when I got to the hide. I left it, and when the Sparrow hawk came in an hour later he looked at it for ages then picked it up and flew back to the perch with it . He seemed confused, and after a while dropped the chick and flew off with out it !
Strange.
JohnR
Thats a fantastic shot John, the colour of the eye is superb, it really is a great opportunity you have here John, don't quite think envious describes how I'm feeling at this moment, top shot.
Andy...
I think some might not like the dead stuff coming up but its all part of the scene.
Thanks for taking an interest.
John
Rene de Heer
Rene de Heer
Keep em coming
Ian
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
A seriously good image John backed up by a mine of info. Great stuff.
Robert
Hope the mods don't mind me putting this on as its part of the story. This is where the chick was when he picked it up. You can see life goes on and the others are building. Look at the expression on the birds face ! This is when I did get to be a little bit soppy - but it passed !JohnR
Simon
Matt
Can't wait to see more of these.
Bob.
David
Maggie - In
the past the pics from this site have been said to have a red cast. Its because the sand is really that colour. Printing stuff done there is a nightmare !
Cheers
JohnR
Brett
Fran