Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk/Blue Jay Struggle

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

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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
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"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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

Malcolm Benn

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

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

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

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A wonderful capture of the brutality of nature.

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

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

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

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Awesome capture!

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

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Very dramatic interaction image.

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

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

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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
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"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come" Chinese Proverb

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

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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

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