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The nesting Cooper's hawks at my local wetlands are quite territorial as the chicks recently hatched. The resident bobcat has been a frequent target of their aggression, but it usually happens when the cat is in the brush and out of view. As the bobcat walked through a parking lot on the outskirts of the wild area, the female Cooper's hawk surprised the cat with one more swoop. Tucson, AZ. Sony A1 with Sigma 300-600 F4.
The fifth photo is the female returning to the nest following a food exchange, shot with the A1 and the 400-800.
That cat is probably smarter than people think... it knows that bird will go for its eye's... the cat could win the battle, look at those powerful leg muscles in the first pic, it'll tear that bird up if it gets a hold of it, but even if the cat wins, and the birds first strike manages to blind it in one eye, that cat's going to have a harder time hunting and surviving in general... instinct said squint and run... I think the cat was right.
Great behavioral set of images, thanks for sharing.
douter wrote:
Didn't expect to see them in one frame like that, Jeffry!
Douglas
thank you!
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morris wrote:
Great sequence and that launch shot is super as well Jeffry
Morris
thank you!
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johnohio wrote:
Great sequence. Must have been thrilling to witness. Love yje last one.
John
thank you! I'd been waiting to get the sequence in the open, seen it obscured a few times before.
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Jim Dockery wrote:
Great shots! #2 for me.
Thank you!
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Erictator wrote:
Terrific set Jeffry!
That cat is probably smarter than people think... it knows that bird will go for its eye's... the cat could win the battle, look at those powerful leg muscles in the first pic, it'll tear that bird up if it gets a hold of it, but even if the cat wins, and the birds first strike manages to blind it in one eye, that cat's going to have a harder time hunting and surviving in general... instinct said squint and run... I think the cat was right.
Great behavioral set of images, thanks for sharing.
Absolutely stunning!! It’s amazing how beautifully the motion of both the kitty(?) and the hawk is captured. But I honestly have no words for how obsessed I am with the last photo of the hawk. The diagonal composition, the focus, the striking red of the hawk’s eye, and those vivid yellow feet.. Everything comes together so perfectly. It feels so powerful and alive!
omyo52 wrote:
Absolutely stunning!! It’s amazing how beautifully the motion of both the kitty(?) and the hawk is captured. But I honestly have no words for how obsessed I am with the last photo of the hawk. The diagonal composition, the focus, the striking red of the hawk’s eye, and those vivid yellow feet.. Everything comes together so perfectly. It feels so powerful and alive!
gmccroskery wrote:
Wow, what an amazing series, Jeff!
I've seen domestic cats harassed by Mockingbirds to no end, but never a scene like this one -- great capture!
Really cool !