It is because wild animals do this. It is uncanny and I never expected it! By the time I find them with my camera lens they invariably are looking directly into it! They notice everything.
Yes! They are intense and very focused creatures. They do become curious about humans they live around at The Holler, but I suspect that is because there are so few of us. We are resident anomalies to them.
Oh, Cindy, your stunning photos send us a ***shiver*** down the spine! Fantastic captures. 🙂
Have you read the marvelous “H is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald? We love it, it’s a must read.
Sending you love and hugs from Norfolk. xox
My gosh. Such synchronicity! Yes of course I read ‘H is for Hawk’ and so did my husband. My son is a big TH White fan, so he read it next. I was en-raptor-ed by by the book, the author, and the goshawk. What an amazing woman. What an incredible book. Then I had to get a book on goshawks! I think I wrote a review on the book for goodreads.
There is another book that is slightly similar titled ‘Fastest Thing on Wings,” about hummingbirds, written by another literature prof, this one at UCLA.
Reblogged this on saywhatumean2say and commented:
Talons & fluff
Soft yet deadly
Raptors are built
to rule the skies!
BEAUTIFUL WORDS TO SUIT BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.
Thank you Cindy. ~~dru~~
Cindy, thank you for the closeups of these magnificent birds! I’ve seen hawks circling here, but I’ve never wanted to get close … even to get a photo of them, ha! That last one looks like he’s laughing at such silliness!!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Cindy Knoke captures intimate close ups with the Harris Hawks of the Holler. Such beautiful creatures… but best at arm’s length.
What fine models, you have, and well-behaved. In a way, they appear confident about how good they look. Wonderful photography, Cindy. What an opportunity to see these guys so up-close-and-personal. <3 <3 <3
Who doesn’t love a bird with its beak wide-open like that? Haha! And the “furrowed brow” look, though it has practical purposes too, give them such expression. Lovely images that remind me of my time at that raptor rehabilitation center. A Harris hawk there that was quite the vocalist – like the hawk in the last picture!
I love it when I hear that piercing hawk cry in the sky, especially when they are multiple hawks flying. I would love to visit that center Lynn. I assume it was connected with Cal Poly?
I lived in the Santa Barbara area only from 2005-06… Kind of a vacation time between academic programs. I started a Ph.D. program in Reno, NV in 2006 (which I didn’t finish), but otherwise I would’ve stayed in Santa Barbara!
Yes. I should have known. So we are both UC alums. That explains just a bit of the commonality and connection. Birds explain all the rest. You went to the center of animal science in the state of California.
Had I attended UC Davis as a student, I might've studied animal science and gone on to become a veterinarian (avian). However, I went to UC Berkeley where they actually didn't have as much to offer in this area as UC Davis. In fact, I was disappointed that UC Berkeley listed courses in Comparative (Animal) Psychology in their catalog but never offered an actual course there during my time there. But, oh well, I'm picking up all this knowledge just fine on my own with the Internet and Amazon.com anyways! Haha!
What initially brought me to Davis was my brief stint of time as a law student at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and I lived with my sister in Davis who attended the UC for both her undergraduate and graduate work. I also worked at UC Davis in their Department of Education for a brief time as well.
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
The majestic beauty of the Harris Hawk, captured perfectly by Cindy! Thank you, as always, for sharing these treasures…sheer perfection!
😎
=^_^= you always manage to sent a picture with the critter looking right at me.. their stare, is so captivating… their beaks so menacing
It is because wild animals do this. It is uncanny and I never expected it! By the time I find them with my camera lens they invariably are looking directly into it! They notice everything.
These Hawks are scary looking. 🙂
They are!
Such beauty and strength.
Yes. Thank you!
They appear to be creatures with very little on their minds except for their next meal.
Yes! They are intense and very focused creatures. They do become curious about humans they live around at The Holler, but I suspect that is because there are so few of us. We are resident anomalies to them.
Oh, Cindy, your stunning photos send us a ***shiver*** down the spine! Fantastic captures. 🙂
Have you read the marvelous “H is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald? We love it, it’s a must read.
Sending you love and hugs from Norfolk. xox
P.S.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/23/h-is-for-hawk-helen-macdonald-review
My gosh. Such synchronicity! Yes of course I read ‘H is for Hawk’ and so did my husband. My son is a big TH White fan, so he read it next. I was en-raptor-ed by by the book, the author, and the goshawk. What an amazing woman. What an incredible book. Then I had to get a book on goshawks! I think I wrote a review on the book for goodreads.
There is another book that is slightly similar titled ‘Fastest Thing on Wings,” about hummingbirds, written by another literature prof, this one at UCLA.
Thank you for the tip. I’ll look it up!:-)
Not as powerful as H, but still a fascinating read.
Reblogged this on saywhatumean2say and commented:
Talons & fluff
Soft yet deadly
Raptors are built
to rule the skies!
BEAUTIFUL WORDS TO SUIT BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.
Thank you Cindy. ~~dru~~
Ahh, you are so kind. Thank you for supporting these amazing creatures! <3
I love the Hawk’s magic wand in photo 3!
Oh how perfect! I can see him using it to turn into Merlin and cast some spells!
So majestic looking and then the last photo he takes a yawn
I love the yawn idea! He easily could have been, but he was letting out his piercing hawk cry. warning all to take heed of him!
Love to see them in flight. Don’t want to see him catch anything except for fish and even then…..
Yes. It can be brutal so I understand completely and share your feelings.
Nice photo of a great bird.
Merci beaucoup~
Stunning photos, Cindy 😀
Thank you my friend & cheers to you~
“Eyes like a hawk”
Hawkeye! Doesn’t miss a thing!
🙂
Cindy, thank you for the closeups of these magnificent birds! I’ve seen hawks circling here, but I’ve never wanted to get close … even to get a photo of them, ha! That last one looks like he’s laughing at such silliness!!
Love that imagery! A laughing hawk. Maybe he was!
These are magnificent photo’s Cindy.. just wonderful.. 🙂
Aww, so kind & so appreciated! <3
🙂
The last photo is a classic, Cindy. I can hear the hawk’s heart-stopping scream. –Curt
Exactly! You have seen and heard this before I know. It is unforgettable.
And sends small animals dashing for cover, or freezes them in their tracks!
Bingo, and flocking birds disappear as if by magic, because the hawk is in the sky! They are thrilling creatures~
Seen from a human perspective (grin).
Too true~
Great pictures. What lens are you using?
I use a Sony HX400 which has an adjustable zoom up to 1200mm.
I love this! Truly wonderful.
Makes me happy. Thank you!
Your friends are very chatty. A warm and welcoming community!
Tee hee hee. They are chatty. Welcoming, not so much! Laughing…….
He is NOT amused. 😅 Great captures, Cindy.
Nope! Not even a teeny bit!
I love the little hook on their beaks, Cindy. It makes them look so dangerous. 🙂 I’m happy to share the world with them. Thanks for the great photos.
I love all raptors, so I am glad you do too! Thank you~ <3
Stunning photos, Cindy.
Thank you very much Tom~
sempre grandi immagini, riesci a cogliere le più potenti espressioni
Grazie mille. Si tratta di un predatore guardando molto severo e serio. Sono molto contento che vi piacciano.
What a thrill to see them so close up. Absolutely wonderful. Love them.
And I love you for it! <3
They’re glorious birds Cindy and the photos are great.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Thank you David & cheers to you my friend~
“Majestic” says it all!!!
It does. Thank you!
Off topic question. I know wildlife is your passion, but do you have a bank of water images?
Yes I do. You can have any you want. Let me know.
I will send you an email to explain what I’m thinking. Just not sure when I will send it. 😉
No hurry~
Great photos of these magnificent birds. Thank you, Cindy.
Thank you more for appreciating them Isabel & cheers to you my friend~ <3
Impressionante
Obrigada mi amigo!
Aren’t Harris hawks the ones who run around on the ground as part of their hunting strategy?
Yes, and they may hunt cooperatively too. They are one of the more social hawks which enhances their survival through cooperation and collaboration.
Makes them kind of unique in the hawk world. Shades of velociraptor.
Power and beauty – great shots, Cindy!
Thank you Eliza! 🦅
Stunning captures, Cindy!! I felt like I was there watching them! 🔝🔝🔝
Next time you are in SoCal you must stop by The Holler so you can! 🦅
I’d love to visit Holler! 😍🦅 🙂
Pingback: Feathers & Fury~ | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Cindy Knoke captures intimate close ups with the Harris Hawks of the Holler. Such beautiful creatures… but best at arm’s length.
The 🦅🦅 and I thank you dear Sally! <3
How great in that last shot, to get to see his tongue. A fine flock of photos, Cindy.
So pleased you noticed. Thank you. I am fascinated by the details on wild animals also. 🦅
He’s a noble looking creature, Cindy.
Leslie
Yes that regal sternness is commanding of respect! <3
Definitely!
<3
Great captures! No wonder, USAF named F22 “Raptor”. They rule the sky indeed.
When it comes to flying, it’s all about the raptors!
Hi Cindy! Lovely photos.❤
Merci beaucoup mon ami! 🦅
You’re welcome. Stay save!✌
<3
Awesome shots…love the last one!!
I feel just like he did sometimes! 😉 😉
Beautiful, beautiful shots. I can hear the scream in the last one!
Oh good, because it is so impressive. It alerts everyone to the predator is the sky and all creatures go running, including me, for my camera!
Love the first photo….the eyes look so intelligent and understanding.
Yes, amazing sentience in wild animal eyes and curiosity looking back at us. Thank you for noticing~
There is a big personality in that gorgeous creature!
I love you for recognizing both qualities Dor! <3
What fine models, you have, and well-behaved. In a way, they appear confident about how good they look. Wonderful photography, Cindy. What an opportunity to see these guys so up-close-and-personal. <3 <3 <3
Raptors have got to be some of the most confident creatures on earth. It must come from always looking down on everyone! 😉
Love it. “It must come from always looking down on everyone!” 😉 <3
Those eyes look very serious!
These are serious birds, no flibbety-jippery for them!
What a handsome boy! …. girl?
Only their hairdresser knows for sure~ 😉
Reblogged this on Art, animals, and the earth.
I so admire your passion and advocacy Sharon. Thank you on behalf of all the wild ones~ <3
Wow, these photographs are amazing!
Ah, I am honored. Thank you & cheers too~
Who doesn’t love a bird with its beak wide-open like that? Haha! And the “furrowed brow” look, though it has practical purposes too, give them such expression. Lovely images that remind me of my time at that raptor rehabilitation center. A Harris hawk there that was quite the vocalist – like the hawk in the last picture!
I love it when I hear that piercing hawk cry in the sky, especially when they are multiple hawks flying. I would love to visit that center Lynn. I assume it was connected with Cal Poly?
Hi Cindy, the rehabilitation center I volunteered at was during the time I lived in Davis, CA. Here: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/calraptor/
I lived in the Santa Barbara area only from 2005-06… Kind of a vacation time between academic programs. I started a Ph.D. program in Reno, NV in 2006 (which I didn’t finish), but otherwise I would’ve stayed in Santa Barbara!
Yes. I should have known. So we are both UC alums. That explains just a bit of the commonality and connection. Birds explain all the rest. You went to the center of animal science in the state of California.
Yeah! 😀 <3
Had I attended UC Davis as a student, I might've studied animal science and gone on to become a veterinarian (avian). However, I went to UC Berkeley where they actually didn't have as much to offer in this area as UC Davis. In fact, I was disappointed that UC Berkeley listed courses in Comparative (Animal) Psychology in their catalog but never offered an actual course there during my time there. But, oh well, I'm picking up all this knowledge just fine on my own with the Internet and Amazon.com anyways! Haha!
What initially brought me to Davis was my brief stint of time as a law student at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and I lived with my sister in Davis who attended the UC for both her undergraduate and graduate work. I also worked at UC Davis in their Department of Education for a brief time as well.
Interesting and diverse experiences and exposures explain why you are a renaissance women my friend! <3
As always…you do our wild, feathered friends perfect justice! I’m always awed by your photographs – this is sheer perfection!
😀
<3
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
The majestic beauty of the Harris Hawk, captured perfectly by Cindy! Thank you, as always, for sharing these treasures…sheer perfection!
😎
I am awed by your kindness & thoughtfulness. These are the most important qualities a person can posses. Thank you my friend & cheers to you~ <3 <3
Thank you kindly! I hope that you have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend…cheers!
*HUGS*
🙂
<3 <3
Marvellous
Thank you kindly!
So royal and majestic looking! I wonder how you managed to snap such close ups and the one with the twig in front…fanstastic
Sony zoom gets me up close and personal. So happy you enjoyed seeing their details! <3
Three cheers for Sony and Cindy 😀
That rhymes! :0 <3
😉 Yep it does! 😀
I love rhyme and the people who do it~ <3
Awww 💃💃💃
wünsche eine stressfreie Zeit
Danke mein Freund. Vogel sind entspannend zu beobachten und zu fotografieren. <3