by Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F.
Member since:
September 9, 2006

THE DANCE OF THE RED-TAILS - (If you NEVER LOOK at ANYTHING ELSE that I ever published or ever WILL publish here on Gather, I don't care... But you've SIMPLY GOT to see these hawks!!!)

August 30, 2008 09:54 PM EDT
views: 81 | rating: 10/10 (19 votes) | comments: 50

OMG!!

I couldn't BELIEVE IT! I SWEAR the mated pair of red-tailed hawks that live near here in the hills above Cloverdale actually CALLED ME OUTSIDE to photograph them together!

How ELSE can you explain these absolutely stunning poses they did for me???

Look and judge for yourself!

They circled above my head -- calling and calling -- and then flew directly over to the same tree and perched there... The tree was AMAZING CLOSE so that I was able to get SEVERAL CLOSE SHOTS of them!!! LOOK!

(I apologize for the low-resolution of these photos... but, it would take me HOURS on "dial-up" to upload the high-resolution ones that I took and I'm sure I'd be "timed out" before they ever loaded...)

Look at the way she's looking at him in the above photo!! If that's not a typical "wife to husband look", I've never SEEN ONE (and, BELIEVE me, I've seen AND given PLENTY of 'em!... ROFL!!!)

Then she flew up into the air RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME and "pinned" herself against the sky -- barely above the tree tops!!!

Leaving Hubby still sitting on the  tree-branch...

Then HE FLEW UP into the air NEXT to her -- BOTH of them now, right in FRONT of me!!!

LOOK at that PERFECT SYNCHRONIZATION of MOVEMENT!!! Their bodies posed in EXACTLY the SAME WAY!!!

This next photo is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!! (You'll see why...)

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?!? OMG!!! They're absolutelyPERFECT together!!! Perfectly choreographed in the air -- doing EXACTLY the SAME THING at exactly the SAME TIME!!!

And those TALONS!!! Absolutely AWESOME!!!!! There's just no other word to describe it!!

Now, for HIS close-up, "Mr. DeMille"... Hold onto your hat... 

OMG!! THAT just leaves me BREATHLESS!!!

He's BEYOND magnificent!!!

BEYOND awe-inspiring!!!

TOTALLY BEYOND MORTAL LIMITATIONS!!!

HE IS A GOD!!!

(I swear -- I just felt like dropping to my KNEES andWORSHIPPING him!!!)

I mean, can you believe they danced for me like that?!?!? (I still can't, I don't mind tellin' ya...)

My pulse is STILL racing and I'm still shaking my head and saying "whoa!" about every 10 seconds! ! !

(I never thought of myself as a particularly "blessed" person before... but, after today, I'm beginning to give that whole point of view a SERIOUS second thought...)

WHEW!
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Comments: 50

Peter Joseph Swanson Aug 30, 2008, 9:55pm EDT
Yeah, COOL !!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
TOTALLY, Peter!!! Thanks!!
Jennifer F. Aug 30, 2008, 10:03pm EDT
Fantastic! The only time I was lucky enough to get a closeup of a hawk was on my birthday two years ago. It was the best birthday present ever. Your shots are so awesome!!!
Sue * Aug 30, 2008, 10:03pm EDT
I love how excited you are!!! Wonderful pictures.
Julia Star Aug 30, 2008, 10:03pm EDT
The last shot was the best. My cat called me to the window yesterday morning just in time to see a humming bird visit my flowers. No time to grab the camera though. Thanks for sharing, Jean.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 10:05pm EDT
Absolutely, Jennifer! ... and it's not EVEN MY BIRTHDAY!!! ROFLMBO!!

Oh, man, Sue... I am positively STOKED TO THE MAX!!! I mean, LOOK AT THEM!! They're DIETIES!!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 10:06pm EDT
Oh, yeah, Julia... When I downloaded that one and brought it up on screen, I about launched myself right outta my CHAIR!!! Thanks, everybody, for taking a look at these... These photos mean a LOT to me!
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Aug 30, 2008, 10:14pm EDT
What a gift girlfriend.

I feel blessed when I'm driving to errands, up the road next to the valley. Not only is the view amazing but there are times when I'm graced with an appearance.

Oh yeah.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 10:28pm EDT
Oh, YEAH, is RIGHT!! A WONDERFUL gift!! I can't BELIEVE how wonderful a gift!!! This week has been uncharacteristically AWESOME for me! First the Steely Dan concert and NOW THIS!! AND I sent off for my SECOND Target card so I'll $100 to get a GOOD printer with in a week or so!!!

Weeks like this are so RARE (well... at least for ME, they are...), I musta done SUMPTHIN' right SOMEWHERE along the way is all I can think... LOL!
Sue M. Aug 30, 2008, 10:34pm EDT
Awesome, Jean! Thanks for posting to *My Bird Macro* !
Susan Roberts Aug 30, 2008, 11:25pm EDT
I agree you were so blessed to get to have this happen. You got some BEAUTIFUL pictures!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 11:53pm EDT
Thanks so MUCH, Sue! :o)
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 30, 2008, 11:53pm EDT
How sweet, Susan! Thanks! :o)
Toni V. Aug 31, 2008, 12:41am EDT
Wow, Jean, that's an awesome experience. I love how excited you are!!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 31, 2008, 12:43am EDT
Totally, Toni! How could I NOT be? ;o)
Dena Straughn Aug 31, 2008, 1:24am EDT
I love it when God shows off.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 31, 2008, 1:31am EDT
Yah... Well, Dena... Between Him and Mother Nature -- I'll tell ya, I'M IMPRESSED, alright!
Tanya P. Aug 31, 2008, 4:14am EDT
Sure wish you could get on high speed cable. I'd love to see these in high resolution. They can leave you breathless just watching them. Absolutely beautiful.
Karen R. Aug 31, 2008, 4:31am EDT
Wow, great pictures!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Aug 31, 2008, 9:17am EDT
Beautiful Jean, how lucky for you to be able to see this beautiful sight and get photos too.

Thanks so much for posting this to
my group
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 31, 2008, 1:07pm EDT
You and me BOTH, Tanya! I agree... but, as a word, "beautiful" doesn't even BEGIN to describe them, really...

Thanks so much, Karen!

Absolutely, Nana! I dunno WHAT I did but it's clear to me that I'm being sent a very pleasant message of some sort... "Lucky" barely covers it... IMHO...
Kathleen ♥ L. Aug 31, 2008, 3:21pm EDT
I don't know which is more fun, watching these amazing creatures or reading(listening) to your unbounded enthusiasm!
Great pictures, even if they are low resolution...
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Aug 31, 2008, 3:28pm EDT
Awesome! Those hawks love you!
Monica H. Aug 31, 2008, 4:18pm EDT
The photos are amazing and the narrative you did along with them was just as amazing. I could feel your excitement in every word.
Alison H. Aug 31, 2008, 8:28pm EDT
Fabulous, Jean! Thanks for sharing this "visitation." TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Aug 31, 2008, 11:20pm EDT
Thanks, Kathleen... LOL... I guess I've always been a "effusive", enthusiastic type of person... I can't help it... ESPECIALLy when it's something like this... I think ALL of the "raptor birds" (along with the "big cats") are just about the most "godlike" things on the whole planet!

It sure seems like they do, doesn't it, Patricia? I wouldn't have even been OUTSIDE if they hadn't actually CALLED me and KEPT calling me -- over and over! And then to have them "perform" the way they did for me was simply magic! I can't describe it any other way!

Chah, Monica... You could say I was a little "elevated" at the time... fer SHER!! ROFL!

TOTALLY, huh, Alison? Just AMAZING!

Thanks, you guys... I'm SO glad you took a look at this and were able to share this with me... I'm still just blown AWAY about it!
Vern R. Sep 1, 2008, 2:27am EDT
Good Stuff!!
Saw your title and so had to visit, of course. Those are amazing, and not only the hawks but the talent of the photographer...

(My camera would a pic where I be saying "See that dot? That was this AMAZING hawk! (You'll have to take my word for the amazing...)"

Great shots!
Rose H. Sep 1, 2008, 2:32pm EDT
What a thrill, a mating pair - dancing in the air!

Amazing shots and such an exciting article - I'm stoked just listening and seeing your pic:)

Mother Earth and Mother Nature ... such blessings...
Woohoo! What an awesome thing to witness. You're very lucky to have experienced this AND caught it on camera. Your excitement is contagious through your words. Well done.
Victoria H. Sep 1, 2008, 9:52pm EDT
That's very cool. Lucky you! You got some excellent shots.

Thanks for posting to my group =Sky Shots=!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 2, 2008, 1:05am EDT
Thanks, Vern!

You flatter me, Senoritafish... How sweet of you to say.... Thanks so MUCH!

Absolutely, Rose! I definitely feel "blessed", to be sure!

Thanks, Renda... lol... Yah... I'm "excitable" like that... ;o)

Thank YOU for having me, Victoria!
Ellie !. Sep 4, 2008, 12:07am EDT
Wonderful
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 4, 2008, 4:59pm EDT
Thanks, Tinch and Ellie, for taking look at my beautiful hawks!
Sarah (I want points) Sep 5, 2008, 1:27pm EDT
I would have loved to have been there to see them in person.
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Sep 7, 2008, 3:07pm EDT
Thank you for sharing this beautiful encounter
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Sep 7, 2008, 3:11pm EDT
This Creature Teacher has been watching over me for the past month... particularly the nearly white female that lives in this area.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977149459&nav=Namespace
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Sep 7, 2008, 3:11pm EDT
..
U wishing you laughter
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 7, 2008, 3:53pm EDT
They were AWESOME, Sarah!

Oh, Quinn! Did you see the photos that I took of the harriers? They are of the "white race", as well!
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Sep 7, 2008, 8:34pm EDT
Hmm, I'll have to fish for it next chance I get online. I do love my feathered friends. Our white hawk is one of those one of out of something like every 25 redtails that is born white, or near white. She is amazing!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 7, 2008, 9:04pm EDT
That IS amazing, Quinn!
Amanda O. Sep 7, 2008, 10:31pm EDT
Seriously great photos. I'm pretty sure my hands would be shaking so much I'd spoil the shots.

I'm not as lucky most of the time. I was 15 feet away from a 10 point buck still in velvet with my Nikon in my hands a couple of weeks ago. I was on the road and he was just inside the treeline. He looked straight at me 3 times, with his rack perfectly framed, and I missed every shot. Two days later, our resident neighborhood deer herd was bedded down in my side yard. I grabbed my trusty Nikon and stepped out onto the deck to photograph the fawns. It was so humid every piece of glass in that camera fogged over and I ended up with nada.

I'm seriously thinking of doing a post on all the shots I didn't get this summer! Now for a photo buff question. What camera/lens did you use for these shots?
Oh jen these are great yes they did call you out
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 9, 2008, 3:25am EDT
I know what you mean, believe me, Amanda... I miss so many, MANY potentially good shots that sometimes I want to tear my HAIR OUT by the ROOTS! More than once, I've hit the "off" button instead of the "shutter button"! Now THAT'S amazingly STOO-PID! DUH!

I like your idea of the "missed shots" essay! A LOT!!

To answer your question: I use a Canon "Powershot" Model SX100si that I bought in April of this year... It has 10X OPTICAL zoom PLUS 4X "digital zoom" which I LOVE!

Fer SHER, huh, Jules? :^D
JoAnne D. Sep 9, 2008, 12:27pm EDT
Breathtaking pair indeed, you caught them on a good day.
Lisa J Sep 12, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
Beautiful pictures, Jean. You've got all those animals around your house trained to pose for you!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Sep 18, 2008, 9:13am EDT
Absolutely, JoAnne! Thanks!

Thank-you, my friend, Lisa... "Trained"...lol...
Nancy S. Nov 15, 2008, 3:58pm EST
Wonderful photos Jean. The hawk is my favorite bird.
Amazing, Jean! I'm not sure what kind of hawk mine is, but he looks very like these. I'll have to investigate. Not that it matters.

You were truly blessed to get these photos.

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