1694 replies to this topic

[park]

Thanks Park for sharing your photos.

On our daily walks we monitor a couple nests

but usually don't get to see much action.

 

There are a couple hawks nests we watch but they stay very hidden.

We only catch slight peeks of them.

Frank

 

Frank...has been a unique opportunity for me.  I located these two nests up a remote deep wash with high sides.  In the many hours I spent there I never saw anyone else in the area.  It took me about 30 minutes in a side by side to access so the remote factor was certainly a blessing.  A perfect location to view and photograph without disturbing their activity.  I had someone who saw the photos on Facebook wanted to know how to find the nest so they could shoot it with their drone.  Guess what, they, nor anyone else never got to view either nest.  Unless I really know someone I'm pretty protective of something like this. I couldn't believe some idiot wanted to fly a drone to the nest sites. I too have a drone but it certainly never saw any airtime anywhere near the chicks.  I shot these with a Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens.  Wish I would of had a 600 but just can't justify the cost.   I had to crop these quite a bit but they came out alright.  Glad you enjoyed the photos.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Frank...has been a unique opportunity for me.  I located these two nests up a remote deep wash with high sides.  In the many hours I spent there I never saw anyone else in the area.  It took me about 30 minutes in a side by side to access so the remote factor was certainly a blessing.  A perfect location to view and photograph without disturbing their activity.  I had someone who saw the photos on Facebook wanted to know how to find the nest so they could shoot it with their drone.  Guess what, they, nor anyone else never got to view either nest.  Unless I really know someone I'm pretty protective of something like this. I couldn't believe some idiot wanted to fly a drone to the nest sites. I too have a drone but it certainly never saw any airtime anywhere near the chicks.  I shot these with a Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500 lens.  Wish I would of had a 600 but just can't justify the cost.   I had to crop these quite a bit but they came out alright.  Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Park, thanks for protecting those nest sites.  The fewer that know their location, the better.

 

Regarding a 600/4, if you get serious about one, rent a 400/2.8 and some TCs before you buy.   If I were doing things over, that lens would be the first on my list.  For me, having more light is more important than reach.   The 400/2.8 works nicely with the Nikkor teleconverters.  Very good image quality, even with the TC 2.0, and you still are only down to f5.6 at 800mm.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Park great you protect the nests location. Sure don't need drones

disturbing the hawks.

The nests we watch are in our housing area so people are in their area.

But nobody bothers them,thankfully.

Frank

[Lighthawk]

Super work, Park.  And investment of your time and expertise.

 

We've got a pair of nesting peregrine falcons on private property nearby.  

I would love to observe them more closely, but it's an unstable cliff that they roost on, a leftover from the hydro mining days.   The peregrines return to the same spot every year.

Edited by Lighthawk, 14 June 2021 - 02:30 AM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

A friend in the garden.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Great shot haven't seen one of these for a long time.

Frank

[park]

Well, it looks like the Canadian govt. is going to open the border back up on the 9th of August.  I think it's early enough to head back up in the Hawk to Alaska for the rest of August and September.  September and early October being my favorite times in Alaska.  Hopefully, I'll run into more of these magnificent creatures.  I shot this grizzly north of the border on my way a couple of years ago. 

 

[Lighthawk]

I caught this fine buck nibbling on our grape leaves, just outside the garden fence.  He let me walk down the garden path, with head high rows of tomatoes between us.  I moved slowly and struggled to get my focus through the vegetation and fencing.  He was curious, and I didn't threaten.    I stepped outside the garden fence into the orchard and caught a few frames.  Some call him a 4x4 rack, others see five or more points.

 

 

 

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[Wandering Sagebrush]

Andy, nice captures!

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Beautiful buck Andy.

Hope you get later shots of him out of velvet.

 Thanks

Frank