SSHA 1270 "NEW"
Sharp-shinned Hawk - With thunder rumbling throughout the afternoon I figured it would be a good day to stay home and make some mugs for the Goldstream Nature House. The thunder was interrupted by a loud bang on our kitchen window. I ran outside to either perform bird CPR or dig a hole. To my surprise as I ran outback I almost ran headlong into this Sharp-shinned Hawk attacking a Eurasian Collared Dove that was the apparent cause of the bang. I ran inside to get my camera as the hawk flew up to a perch. I grabbed a few quick shots then backed off so it could return to its lunch splayed out on our patio. Suddenly the dove jumped up and took off across the yard with the hawk in hot pursuit. It chased it across the road where the dove went headlong into our neighbiours front door. I ran out front and down the street as the hawk perched up in a cedar. The dove was no where in sight other then a few feathers on their doorstep. This was a bird that I only had a distant in flight shot of for my big year, so was extremely happy to get these shots. As much as I love to photograph raptors its often tough when they prey on other species you like. This is a great case for invasive species like the doves, you at least don't feel too bad when they are lunch.
