I still can't believe it!
I was only about eight feet or so away and I had my camera handy - thanks to Gather. I've been writing articles about gardening taking photos of my garden for a week now. Here I was in the garden re-potting plants and taking photos along the way.
I was so engrossed in planting that I was startled by a big whooosh, huge wings and the next thing I know there is a Hawk sitting on the back of my chair in the garden gazebo.
Amazing! He kept an eye on me once I started moving, but did not appear to be too concerned. An urbanized hawk - used to people?
We live adjacent to a horse pasture so we often see a hawk circling high up in the sky or occasionally resting on one of our trees in the yard,
but this was such an unexpected thrill.
I don't know what type of hawk he might be, since I've only seen a red tail hawk in our oak tree. This hawk was at least a foot in body length. The wing span was something to see, I bet it was around two feet plus.
CONTEMPLATION?!
The hawk kept looking around turning his head it seemed like almost 360 degrees.
I am still blown away.
It was so exciting to be close enough to take pictures.
The re-potting is moving along just fine, especially since I had such dedicated help. 
JIMBO our tiger kitty - always investigating and supervising all garden activities.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my garden today.
All images taken by Rose H. on 4-1-2008 with an Olympus D-540 digital camera.
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Comments: 28
I just grabbed my camera and took a shot but all I got was the ironwork of the gazebo and very little of the bird. I decided to go find a better angle and shot about eight pics getting closer to him all the time.
I didn't know how long he'd stay and my camera unfortunately is not made for quick and action shots. There is a delay whenever I take a picture before I can take the next one, by that time the butterflies or whatever I am trying to get a shot of is long gone - but I try and there is always next Christmas.
Anyway, I was really excited about the hawk and very happy that the shots came out halfway decent.
I always enjoy visiting your garden, but this was exta-special!
He could be a ferruginous hawk Rose, but I'm unsure.
You know a person of science would say he was there for a reason. You were turning the soil... that attracts small birds looking for worms....and so the hawk is drawn to your garden looking for a snack. But I think that's hooey....rather I would rather believe the hawk was a messenger from afar. You were very fortunate to get these pictures.
Candida, I didn't know that about you;), but it is quite fitting since you created an organic garden group on gather.
Maybe I can determine what it is along with the help of Joan.
Joan, I live in Florida. Yes, it could be an immature bird, I had the feeling that it might be a young one, but I don't know anything about our feathered friends.
Thanks Magi - it was special.
Oh, Elizabeth you would bring this up. A winged messenger. I will be thinking about this all day.
THANK YOU all for your comments - you've made my day!
Blessings...
We saw one in one of our trees and I was amazed. He was gone by the time I got the camera!
red tail. Indeed, they will become urbanized. A buteo, they soar a lot and hunt
from solitary, open perches such as the one provided by your chair !!;-))
At their first molt, the brownish tail become dark brick red. The adults chase
the young they have reared and still insist on hanging around away. Or
a solitary hawk will occupy or pair will take over an usused nesting/hunting area
of about 5 square miles. Their cry is a shrill "Tseee Ahrrrr"
The tail needs to be more visible for positive I.D., but a red-shouldered has
feet and legs that are not nearly as massive as this red tail. I have used both
these species as falconry birds. The icon of mine is head shot of an immature
male red-shouldered.
click to view larger version
I did indeed hear the sound - almost like a very loud shrill whistle when he came around a day earlier. He just sat in the tree devouring something with two small birds all abuzz around him. I wondered whether he ate their chick.
Shannon, Necee, Amy -I think it is you Amy and not Chris:), Wendy and Ann - thank you all very kindly for your comments.
in southern USA. I was not able to edit the photo of the hawk to get a better
look at the tail. If the black bands on it are wide, it's a red shouldered, --if the
bands are very narrow, --a red tail. Red shouldered hawks are more numerous
in the southern states, especially in swampy areas.
C.F. thank you for saying the shots were stunning and yes, I appreciate the chuckle - it is intended to soften the hearts and minds of those who read my articles. I often end one of my garden articles with a 'purty' of the Jimbo:)
After all what is a garden without a cat - Jimbo considers the garden his kingdom.
This led me to wonder if SOME types of hawks are territorial and prone to attacking people. This incident was not the first. In another attack incident, a female hawk felt that its nest - and babies - were at risk.
I'd always be respectful, if admiring, of hawks but I did hear of one taking a chihuahua once, from our neighbor. I felt sorry for the neighbor. I had no idea they'd go after pets but then...why not? A chihuahua is probably smaller than the typical rabbit, isn't it?
Hawk go for rats and mice and a chihuahua is not that far removed in size. Hawks also prey on squirrels so yes a healthy dose of caution is in order.
Other than that I very much doubt a Hawk would attack people. I don't know anything about their intelligence but some birds are quite smart and since these birds are used in falconry I'm guessing they are very smart indeed.
Our Jimbo is probably not in danger, since he is very heavy and the bird would have to carry him off, but the little mini-kitty might be, given the right circumstances. This is a wild bird and doesn't have the dead look in it's eyes that some of the chained birds have.
We are all part of a food chain on this planet, but I don't intend to become a target for the birds. There are much larger birds in our area - anyting from egrets to vultures and I don't think I need to fear an attack at this time, although I agree caution is a good thing.
For all I know the Hawk may never return. I haven't seen it since - not even sircling the blue skies.:)
Jane, for the moment I think I'm quite safe and I promise I will be careful.:)