Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk/Blue Jay Struggle

Posted by Cynthia Crawford on Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:55 pm

All times are UTC-05:00

0 people like this post

First unread post

| 13 posts |

Page 1 of 1

Z8,600 6.3:, 1/1000, f/6.3,USO 5000

A big drama in our front yard this AM. The hawk had the Blue Jay helplessly pinned by it's legs, but the Jay fought valiantly. I took dozens of photos...through 2 layers of glass- could not go outside to disturb them. Will eventually make a composite or a sequence of action, and got a few movies.
This one I found to be rather poignant- a stare down. The Blue Jay pecked at the Hawk's chest, but could not penetrate. The Hawk finally killed the Jay and went a ways off to eat it.

Please click...

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

Last edited by Cynthia Crawford on Mon Jan 20, 2025 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Posted by:
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator

Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
Posts: 22070
Joined: 10 Jun 2006

View portfolio
Visit website

by peter makuch on Tue Jan 07, 2025 1:36 pm

peter makuch
Forum Contributor

Posts: 6107
Joined: 13 Jun 2014
Location: montreal
Member #:02075

View portfolio

a story with a sad ending, this goes on everyday and you were lucky to record all of this in front of your eyes, thanks for sharing this image CYNTHIA.

0 people like this post

by Gene Gwin on Tue Jan 07, 2025 1:53 pm

Gene Gwin
Forum Contributor

Posts: 5845
Joined: 26 Feb 2015
Member #:02042

View portfolio
Visit website

Cynthia, I agree that the stare down makes a dramatic image even more dramatic. It is cruel, but nature can certainly be cruel at times. A great image.

www.lagunasecaranch.com

0 people like this post

by david fletcher on Tue Jan 07, 2025 2:28 pm

david fletcher
Moderator

Posts: 36415
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
Location: UK
Member #:00525

View portfolio

Terrific sighting Cindy. Nature at its best and worst. (life begets life). Great action and story telling.

David Fletcher Moderator. Birds, Photo & Digital Art

Make your life spectacular!

NSN00525

0 people like this post

by MalcolmBenn on Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:38 pm

MalcolmBenn
Forum Contributor

Posts: 1636
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Location: Oakville, Ontario, CANADA

Visit website

Wow, now that is a classic picture is worth a 1000 words.

Malcolm Benn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8357466@N03/

0 people like this post

by paul fletcher on Tue Jan 07, 2025 9:02 pm

paul fletcher
Forum Contributor

Posts: 3970
Joined: 26 Feb 2018
Member #:02174

View portfolio

Very dramatic image, Cynthia! I guess we have to remember, that all species have to eat to survive.

0 people like this post

by Peter Ireland on Wed Jan 08, 2025 4:43 am

Peter Ireland
Forum Contributor

Posts: 4027
Joined: 14 Jul 2008
Location: Blackburn,Lancs
Member #:01589

View portfolio

A wonderful capture of the brutality of nature.

flickr

0 people like this post

by Axel Hildebrandt on Wed Jan 08, 2025 8:13 am

Axel Hildebrandt
Moderator

Posts: 23789
Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Location: Coopersburg, PA
Member #:00941

View portfolio
Visit website

Great capture of this behavior and it certainly tells the story.

Axel Hildebrandt

0 people like this post

by Markus Jais on Wed Jan 08, 2025 2:36 pm

Markus Jais
Lifetime Member

Posts: 3204
Joined: 5 Sep 2005
Location: Germany, near Munich
Member #:01791

View portfolio

Awesome capture!

0 people like this post

by Karl Egressy on Wed Jan 08, 2025 4:08 pm

Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor

Posts: 40618
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988

View portfolio

Very dramatic interaction image.

0 people like this post

by Tim Zurowski on Wed Jan 08, 2025 7:40 pm

Tim Zurowski
Forum Contributor

Posts: 19022
Joined: 4 Apr 2006
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
Member #:00198

View portfolio
Visit website

Cynthia, you did a great job capturing this moment, but I have to admit, I have a real difficult time looking at it.

Cheers
Tim Zurowski
https://timzurowski.smugmug.com/

0 people like this post

by Cynthia Crawford on Wed Jan 08, 2025 8:52 pm

Cynthia Crawford
Moderator

Posts: 22070
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733

View portfolio
Visit website

Tim Zurowski wrote: Cynthia, you did a great job capturing this moment, but I have to admit, I have a real difficult time looking at it.

Hi Tim. I know how you feel. I was excited to get those many photos and witness the drama, but now I too have a hard time seeing the slow , painful demise of the Blue Jay. I wish it had been an instant demise. I know it's part of what wildlife is about, but ....well, it haunts me a bit now. I have never liked watching videos of lions taking down prey either!

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

0 people like this post

by Cynthia Crawford on Mon Jan 20, 2025 7:45 pm

Cynthia Crawford
Moderator

Posts: 22070
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733

View portfolio
Visit website

Correction on the Hawk i.d. It is an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk according to local authorities, and I agree.

Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

0 people like this post