Friday, February 11, 2011

Joe "Hollywood" Cooper

This juvenile Cooper's Hawk is so pretty he must be a bird actor...

...show me........Dejection!

...show me.......Regal like an Eagle!

...show me.......Anticipation!

...okay, okay...you've shown me enough...I'll move on.

(I don't know why these hawks never want me to stick around and always end up giving me the stink eye!)

I found this juvenile Cooper's Hawk sitting on our deck. Walking up on him and seeing him so close took me by surprise, and I sort of did that jumpy second-look move, which unfortunately frightened him off, but he didn't go far. He perched in the Ash Tree about 20 feet away and surveyed the offerings for a while--enough time for me to get the camera and snap off a few shots before he grew bored with the clicking and took to the wing...with a flourish, of course!

32 comments:

Carol Mattingly said...

Oh My God! He is absolutely positively gorgeous. Oh, oh, oh! Really I love hawks. Sometimes the hawks sit on the power lines close by my feeders. One day while working at home in my office, I had forgotten to open the blinds. Heard a loud crash on the window. Opened the blind long enough to see a hawk had swooped to grab a bird but missed and caught the window glass instead. Beautiful images Kelly. Carol

Kelly said...

Wow...that must have been a huge whump...hawks are so big! Sounds like the bird got away!
Thanks, Carol!

grammie g said...

Hi Kelly ..you'll have to read my latest post..I gave you more credit than that!!
He is a beauty, and I love your photo's and captions, but I am trying to get over the shock of my encounter with the Sharp Shin Hawk!! : }}

Kelly said...

...okay, Grammie...I'm heading over now! Thank you!!

Rural Rambler said...

With a flourish of course Kelly! At least he didn't have a small meal in his talons. Call me whatever you want but it makes me sad to see that. He is a beautiful bird and your captured some beautiful moments!

Kelly said...

Thanks, Pix...I know what you mean...I don't like to see it either.

Roy said...

That's one gorgeous bird, and it looks like he knows it! I love hawks. Good captures on this one, Kelly.

Margaret said...

He looks a bit of the "Diva" to me. He probably flew off so that he would have a bette "backdrop" for the phot0 shoot - which is stunning work, I might add!

Cicero Sings said...

A real beaut all right! Such nice clear shots.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

That is one absolutely gorgeous hawk, Kelly... Glad he stuck around for you to get such great pictures. He truly is Joe Hollywood Cooper.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Laure Ferlita said...

What incredible shots! Love the last one—where he's obviously telling you that you've overstayed your welcome—in your own backyard! Toooooo cool!

Grizz………… said...

Fabulous photos! And to have gotten so close and had the time to really look. What a beautiful bird. Great, great post. You just do a wonderful job…always.

Kelly said...

Thanks, Roy....there is something commanding about being in their presence. You just have to stand back and take notice. I love them too.

Margaret...thank you! haha...I think you're right!! :-)

Cicero...thank you! :-)

Thanks, Dean!

Betsy...I'm stretching it a bit with the Joe Hollywood stuff, but I couldn't resist...he's just so pretty! :-) Thanks!

Laure...hehe...I know. All those hawks do that. I didn't even know what "stink eye" met until I started photographing them! :-D Thank you!

Thanks, Grizz....you captured it well. Yes...it was so wonderful to be so close and just look at him. Gorgeous. I don't often get to do that... Thanks!

Sarah Knight said...

Beautiful photos! That's very cool when birds pose for a bit
: )

ShySongbird said...

Stunning photos Kelly! Imagine being a small bird and seeing those eyes bearing down on you although I suppose the point is that they don't see them, they are so quick! I know they would frighten this Songbird anyway ;)

We had the imprint of a Sparrowhawk on our French door a couple of years ago! Happily, it must have recovered as there was no other sign of it :)

Lovely painting on the previous post!

Dave said...

Love those Coops! Great shots Kelly!

Montanagirl said...

Beautiful shots, Kelly. I've only seen one of those in our yard this winter, which rather surprises me.

Busy Bee Suz said...

He is GORGEOUS!!!!!
Love all the sweet captions Kelly.

Jayne said...

He's magnificent!

Warren Baker said...

spectacular bird photography Kelly. He must be related to our Sparrowhawk :-)

Unknown said...

Fantastic photography to capture those vivid colors!

Genny said...

I love hawks, and this shot of the young Cooper's is just beautiful. I'm so glad I found your blog.

Mary said...

Wonderful! Don't you love when you get opportunities like this and actually have the camera handy :-) I loved your captions!

Gail said...

Wow! Absolutely stunning pictures!

Lois Evensen said...

My goodness you get gorgeous shots! These are amazing!

Roy said...

What a very helpful bird Kelly. Fabulous shots.

Kerri Farley said...

WOW ~ He is sooooo handsome!!

Vickie said...

These images are absolutely gorgeous! How fortunate to get such stunning looks!

Kelly said...

...thanks, Dave...sorry no shots from behind!

Mona...thanks. Well...your other birdies are safe!

Suz...thank you!!! Rick shook his head when he saw those captions..."you're such a goof" I think is what he said...

thank you, Jayne! :-)

Warren...thanks! You know...I think I looked that up a long time ago, but I don't remember what I found. I'll have to check again...

Birding is fun...thank you!!

Genny...thank you. I'll head over to check out your blog.

Mary...thanks...I know what you mean. If my camera weren't so heavy I'd wear it constantly because...you never know what you'll see! :-)

Thank you, Gail!

Lois...thanks...I'm glad he hung around and gave me such a great opportunity. Those don't come along too often.

Thanks, Roy. I know...enough are not obliging at all, so it's always a treat when they are! :-)

Kerri...thank you!!

Thank you, Vicki! The lighting was nice too...it was so gray and just starting to snow...that helped out.

Elaine said...

These are fantastic, Kelly! Most obliging of him to stick around long enough for you to get your camera.

FAB said...

WHOW .. Stunningly beautiful shots Kelly. That fixed staring look can be somewhat disarming!

Kelly said...

...thanks, Elaine!! I'm glad he wasn't shy!

Frank...I know what you mean...i couldn't imagine being a bird on the receiving end of that stare! Thanks...