Late in February, the chickadees in the birch tree screeched and carried on so that I immediately knew something was wrong. As I stood at the back door, I watched them swoop around each other near the top of the tree. Something much larger than a chickadee perched on a lower branch. My trusty binoculars revealed the surprising answer - it was a hawk. I believe he was a young red-tailed hawk, the most common kind of hawk in New Hampshire.
Camera in hand, I decided to see how close I could get. Usually I see hawks either gliding high in the air or perched high in one of the tall pines across the pond. Always too far away to capture a recognizable picture. Still standing in the doorway, I snapped my first shot.
Slowly I made my way across the deck and down the stairs and snapped again. I thought he would fly away. The chickadees continued their noisy, hawk protest.
I edged along the path to the left hoping the foliage would conceal my approach, although I knew better - hawk eyes are keen eyes! Still, he remained on his perch.
Alas! Shrubs and gardening paraphenalia blocked my way. If I wanted to get closer, I would have to backtrack to where the paths part and come down on the other side. Slowly, I did so. The pine trees on that side are taller than me. I held my breath and creeped closer. A clear shot would not be visible until I was four or five feet in front of him. He remained on his perch!
He turned his head, looked straight at me for a few seconds and flew away - across the front of me, at eye level, continued on for a few feet then up, up and away.
The chickadees quieted down content to resume lunch at the feeder. Although I was thrilled to have this close encounter with the hawk, for the sake of the chickadees, I shared their happiness and relief to see him go!
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 39
Thank you, Angela. :-)
Thank you, Elaine! :-)
my group
Thank you, Larry! :-)
Thank you, Vikki! I love watching them soar overhead, too. As you said, they are so beautiful! :-)
Thank you, Katherine "Kat"! :-)
Aunt Shanny, until about 10 years ago, I didn't even know what a chickadee looked like. LOL Then my husband decided to put up bird feeders and the birds began to visit. All kinds, but the chickadees were the first. They have been constant, year 'round visitors ever since! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! :-)
Thank you, Sheila! :-)
he was hunting those chickadees..they are so cute..one of my favorites..
my hawk never seems to want to land in my area, though he floats so gracefully about 500 feet above.........
thanks............
Sheila, I love chickadees, too. My grandchildren were concerned that by approaching the hawk trying to get a photo that I would scare the hawk away. I told them that to me it was a win/win situation. I really wanted a decent photo, but I also wanted him to go away! I had nothing to lose, so I tried and both the chickadees and I got lucky. Thank you for the wonderful compliment! :-)
Randee, I do enjoy watching them glide high in the sky, too. Thank you for your kind words! :-)
Fine feathered fotos, too! :-)
Oh no, Bundy! I'm sorry. Sometimes the course of nature is heart breaking. :-(
Thank you, Marge! :-)
Thank you, Ghostly! :-)
Thank you, JoAnn! I couldn't believe my eyes! :-)
Digital Diva, that's what I was afraid of. Still, I found it odd that the chickadees stayed flying above him in the same tree. I didn't see any nests in the tree. I guess they could have had nests nearby. Those little songbirds are fierce, aren't they? I've seen them chase crows and hawks.
TD, it sure makes a conflict between wanting to see one of these great birds up close, yet not wanting the songbirds to be chased away or worse. I've never seen an eagle around here. I can well imagine that it was heavenly to see them flying around. I hope you get a photo one of these days!!
Deb, I think you are right - it was a lucky day for chickadees and me! Thank you! :-)