Saturday Snapshot
is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books
It's easy to participate- just post a picture that was taken by
you, a friend, or a family member, and add your link
on Alyce's site. (no pictures from the internet!)
About two weeks ago right before my husband and I were going to leave for up north, we heard a commotion in our backyard. Lily (the big dog) was barking her fool head off and we ran out of the house to see what she was barking at. Imagine our surprise when we saw this beautiful Red-tail Hawk in the yard about 20 feet from the back deck!! He was in a stand-off with Lily and his feathers were puffed up incredibly huge as to make him appear larger than he really was. He was going to do whatever it took to keep her from his kill. His beak and eyes scared me but not Lily. My husband had to call her several times before she would back down. We put the dogs in the house immediately and then after the 'awe' factor started to go away, I got my wits about me and had my son run to the car to get my camera. The hawk could have cared less about me taking photos of him. He was too focused on eating his snake!! Isn't he magnificent?? I have always considered the Red-Tailed Hawk as my talisman of good luck and a gift from God. Whenever I have been worried about something a hawk appears either in the sky above my house, on my back deck right by my sliding glass doors, or sitting in a tree beside the road that I may be traveling upon. Having this one so close made my day and filled my heart with a calming warmth!!
Wow, I can't believe Lily was going to mess with him! Great photo!
ReplyDeleteShe always puts up a good front but if that bird had come towards her I'm pretty sure she would have ran for the hills!!
DeleteWhat an awesome capture. They are so beautiful, and your dog is either very brave or very "dumb" LOL to mess with him.
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't believe our luck that day!!! He was incredible to see all puffed up..missed that shot! Yes, Lily is 'dumb' to mess with him!!
DeleteWhat a great talisman to have! He is certainly keeping your yard free of critters!
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone you know is interested, there is an eBook giveaway on my blog of a YA, fantasy, martial arts, legend story.
I love him for the sheer fact that I don't have snakes in my yard, even if they are garter snakes!!
DeleteThat is sooooooooooo awesome!!!! My charm is the albino gecko!!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of such a talisman! Thanks for sharing...and how great that you could capture a shot of him. Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
ReplyDeleteOmg that photo is amazing
ReplyDeleteWow, incredible, Staci! I love red tails...we have a nesting pair next to our home
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible story to go with an amazing picture. You are lucky to live somewhere with wildlife like that. My Snapshot is of a stone circle http://goo.gl/8P0Zp
ReplyDeleteGreat shot! The red-tail is a gorgeous bird. I love watching them circle high in the sky but when one lands in the yard it's a special treat.
ReplyDeleteI've found they don't mind humans. I walked right up to one that had his eye on something more interesting me.
Enjoyed looking at the photograph!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Saturday Snapshot post!
Amazingly cool photo and story. I love hawks, too.
ReplyDeleteHe is so intimidating and majestic at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThat is really amazing!! Most people never get to see a hawk much less photograph one! We can usually see them flying but not closer. He's very beautiful and is the perfect choice for a talisman. I hope he has brought you good luck again! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story and photo! I, too, love hawks. Here's my photo:http://barbarathehealthynut.blogspot.com/2012/08/raindrops-and-roses.html
ReplyDeleteWow that is just amazing! I've never seen a hawk with a snake!
ReplyDeleteWow, what astonishing backyard action! What an amazing sight that must have been.
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a great story and picture. The only birds I spy in my yard are robins,sparrow, a stray woodpecker or two, and lots of starlings (which I hate). Oh, we did have an owl in a tree once. He stayed for two days, I worried about my kitty. But no harm came to the cat and the owl flew off never to be seen again.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd be getting so close where a snake is concerned, but good for you getting the photo.
ReplyDeleteLoved this picture....you captured the moment well with the bulging eyes and all. Hawks are beautiful and what an amazing talisman you have!
ReplyDeleteYou had a hawk and a snake twenty feet from your back deck! Oh my goodness! What a good shot you got of it. Awesome...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you saw such an amazing thing
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible! Even with the picture, when you started the story, I was afraid that Lily and the hawk had gotten into it!
ReplyDeleteA hawk and a snake....that's a bit too much widelife in the backyard for my liking!! Well done for being brave enough to get such an amazing close-up.
ReplyDeleteI saw this on Facebook! It is really gross seeing the inside of a snake, but that is nature! I have watched literally a hundred animal/nature shows since I was 5 or 6 and never have I seen one about a hawk. This is cool. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you caught that!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is VERY cool.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome photo. I've never seen one so close. What a beautiful (and scary) talisman you have:)
ReplyDeleteThat is one amazing photo! We've had a few hawks fly over our yard, but none have ever landed. I kind of wish they'd stop by and take on a few rabbits. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible picture and story to go with it.
ReplyDelete