Sunday, March 21, 2010

True Nature

We're all having a lazy Sunday but we wanted to show you what Mommy and Daddy saw along the highway last weekend. We'll actually let Mommy do the post today so we'll go nap while she does...

Mombean here: Last Sunday as we were driving along a highway, we saw two hawks on the side of the road. One hawk had its wings outstretched, the other was standing in front of it. Of course I immediately thought one of them had been hit by a car and needed help so we turned around to go back to check on them and call the Chintimimi Wildlife Rehabiliation if necessary. When we came back one hawk was now sitting up on a power line and the one with outstretched wings had moved off the shoulder of the road more and we noticed blood on its chest so I was thinking the worst. I called Chintimini but got voicemail so we pulled up closer to see if we could do something.
As we watched the hawk to determine if it was hurt because of its outstretched wings we realized it was eating something so was just protecting its meal.
I had never seen anything like this before and it was quite incredible to see nature in action. Hawks are truly beautiful, powerful and intelligent birds of prey and no, the cats didn't even ask why we didn't bring one home after they saw our photos!

33 comments:

Kas said...

Just stunning!!!!!!!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Awesome!

Mickey's Musings said...

What amazing pictures!!!!!
That hawk is very nice looking!!
Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

Ann said...

WOW, what an incredible sighting.

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Great capture ... Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Daisy said...

Daisy's mom here:
I know just how you feel! One time, we were visiting Hershey, PA and taking a tour. When we passed a little natural park area, a hawk swooped down and grabbed a rabbit with his talons. It was such a shocking and fascinating moment.

FurbabiesGrandma said...

I'm sure glad that hawk wasn't hurt because knowing you, you would have had Dadbean trying to figure out a way to get the hawk home to be nursed back to health and you would have had it named.

sandy said...

Great photo's. We had one in the backyard one night while we were having dinner on the deck. It was outback and we watched for quite awhile while it stalked it's prey.

Sandy

Memories for Life said...

You are such an amazing person :) Your thoughts are always with the animals and you're always ready to help them :)
Glad no one was hurt!

Anonymous said...

Amazing shots...

Buggys said...

Great shots. What a fascinating thing to witness!

The Creek Cats said...

Wow!

Thank you so much for stopping by and wishing me a happy Gotcha Day!
♥ Rambler

The Army of Four said...

That's GREAT! Thank you for stopping to call help, if needed! And thank you for some awesome photos! We LOVE hawks! So powerful and strong!
Tail wags,
Storms

Duni said...

I love haws. They're intelligent creatures, graceful and just beautiful! Lucky you for getting so close to one!

tahtimbo said...

Those are terrific pictures! They are just amazing to watch. We get to see the smaller ones in action at our house (they are attracted to the birds who visit out bird feeder).

Angel and Isabella are very wise kitties indeed. I bet they took one look at that beak and decided that a nice, safe nap would be a better use of their time ;)

Enjoy the race!!

Mishkat said...

P.S. We are glad your dad is still watching the tournament! Can't believe Kansas lost - that messed up something like 98% of all the brackets out there.

Our mom is rooting for Maryland (they play today - she hopes they don't lose, because sometimes they don't play all that well!) and our dad is cheering for U of Washington (in sweet 16), but we are all hoping that St. Mary's gets to the final 4 - they are the most fun to watch.

Unknown said...

You are an amazing observer of nature and a great photographer! You get shots that no one else comes close to!
Thanks for sharing!
Anna

Erika said...

Great photos. My husband used to have a tiny dog and he would worry about the hawk getting her when she went outside to take care of her business. But the hawk must of known she could not handle that dog!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

That is amazing!!! You got some great pics too. Thanks for sharing.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Sparkle said...

A young hawk got into our enclosed patio a few weeks ago and couldn't find its way out. My human had to rescue it and send it on its way. It looked almost exactly the one in your photo, only smaller.

Anonymous said...

truly amazing...hawks are truly beautiful creatures!

Cat with a Garden said...

What a great opportunity to observe nature in action. The pictures are impressive!

storybeader said...

what a beautiful face!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Thanks fur sharing that!

Mom needed her hawk fix fur she realised that today fur the furst time in like FUREVER, she didn't see any hawks during her transport!

How khool are those pikhs!!!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie
PeeEssWoo: Hi Sadie!

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Amazing photos and just the chance of being there to observe...

Catherine said...

Hawks are such beautiful wise looking birds aren't they? Great photos!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

What a cool story! I wish I'd been there with you to watch it.

Your Daily Cute said...

Wow. What a great set of pictures. I would have done the same as you and made sure the hawk didn't need help.

What a beautiful creature!

brokenteepee said...

I love raptors. Intelligent, beautiful birds.

Waterrose said...

What great pictures. I love to watch birds, but the birds of prey are fabulous. Have you seen Molly the owl and the baby owls hatching?

http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

The Island Cats said...

Wow! We know that the hawk is one birdie we never wanna tangle with!!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Oh wow... now that is one bird we wouldn't think of noming...

Meghann said...

What a compassionate soul you are - I must say thank you for being concerned enough to stop, and how neat that you got to see something so rare! Thanks for photographing it!