This hawk almost appears regal, standing on a bale with perfect posture and a focused stare.
I can forget the most important item on a short grocery list before I even leave the house. I can forget the password I just entered into the computer or even the time when the game starts. But I won’t ever forget the look.
The odd thing is that I don’t recall the last time I was on the receiving end of one of them or who sent them my way.
I’m pretty sure I remember the gender of all the senders but it’s probably best if I don’t specify. I certainly do remember the eye-popping heat those women generated. But what has any of this got to do with wildlife?
This past week I stared into the eyes of a few hawks and got my own eyebrows raised. It seems they have mastered the look.
I know hawks can be pretty intense and I know it’s serious business because they are predators looking for a meal. Still it got a little more uncomfortable when the hawk focused on me. The look will do that.
After that experience, I am sure my grocery-list memory will improve. No use taking any chances.
It got a lot more intense when this hawk’s attention seemed to be directed in my general direction.
At some point I was pretty sure I was the centre of attention. I didn’t look behind me.
Is it called buzzing the tower if the hawk circles by for another look? I was wearing a hat so it couldn’t have been my unkempt hair.
Krahnpix 
Dear Lyle, Really and truly great Photographs of indeed a great bird.Keep them coming dear friend for an old man and his young friends to enjoy at leisure.Best wishes, Ganesh.
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Thanks. I certainly hope to keep photographing and posting. I never tire of watching these magnificent hawks.
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Fantastic shots!
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I appreciate that.
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Great shots – it’s magic when they look back at you!
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Thanks. It sure is. Even with some distance separating us, we had a brief moment.
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Awesome Awesome Awesome . great shots ..
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Thanks so much. It was so much fun to watch those hawks.
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Beautiful light, great captures!
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Thanks. It was particularly good light.
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Hawk eyes can stare a hole straight through to your soul, I know.
It is awesome and unnerving at the same time!
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Their eyes are truly amazing – awesome and unnerving is exactly right. Just like your recent experience, they seem to know exactly what is happening.
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Beautiful. 🙂
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thanks
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That is a really intense look in the next to last shot especially. Like the color in that shot too.
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Thanks. I loved the intensity.
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As a female, mother, and former teacher, I’ve been told I have perfected The Look.
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It’s a gift!
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I received “the look” from a porcupine recently who was crawling backwards down a tree as I walked by. It was terrifying. I am haunted by it and the thought, er thot, of a thousand quills in me. Great photos. My favorite is the hawk on the post with the blurred background.
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Thanks – I really like that one too. It’s funny because the first time I tried to photograph a porcupine, I was trying to remember if they threw their quills. Needless to say that got my imagination going.
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It’s never a good thing when a predator seems to be sizing you up. I’m sure that hawks don’t usually attack humans, but is “usually” enough to reassure you? I especially like the last shot in which the hawk seems to be coming at you at full speed.
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Perhaps oddly, it is enough to reassure me. Then again, just like the message on right-side vehicle mirrors, objects appear closer than they really are with my lens. As the hawk was circling, I was hoping I would be a shot of it coming toward me and was pleased when that happened. Glad you like it.
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Excellent post! Nice clicks.
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Thanks
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The third one is my favorite. It is definitely cool when you get a good look from a bird that you are trying to photograph. Unfortunately, it is also when they are often ready to fly away. My favorite look is probably this one from a Western Burrowing Owl. http://bramanswanderings.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/owls/
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I completely agree about the cool part though in the case of the third shot it just kept looking around after that which was special. I actually remembered your Burrowing Owl.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU…..KID!
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WOW! Quite a stare down going on here…what intensity! I’d be a bit nervous! Spectacular images!
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Thanks. I really love the intensity that the hawk portrays most of the time. You know it means business!
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Come to Toronto, drive down the highway, as many Peregrine Falcons as you can count! Don’t forget the camera….and the milk!
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I had no idea they were there … it is a long drive from here!
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but totally worth it….milk and falcons? hard to go wrong!
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The “Look” indeed! You are correct, you will not soon forget this. Tremendous flight shots!
I hear ya on the grocery list too I forget stuff. Well the OJ maybe but not the beer.
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I was really fortunate to have the hawk circling a few times to give me a few chances. I love it when that happens as opposed to the usual quick pass and then disappear. Our memories can be quite selective based on the importance we give them.
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Nice work 🙂
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Thanks.
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Speaking on behalf of all those who have perfected a look of their own, I can appreciate the intensity and the drive to put some nutritious food on the table for dinner. 🙂
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And it turns out they are very successful doing it. If looks could kill …
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Sounds like the tag line for an Agatha Christie extravaganza! 🙂
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🙂
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I love hawks… wait… what were we talking about?
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Exactly!!!
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Exactly what???
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I thot that was the perfect comment, encapsulating everything.
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I do try to do that. It doesn’t always work out. Thanks.
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Okay, I might be getting carried away with a running gag, but I do like a running gag… and hawks… I like hawks… did I mention that?
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You did and I like hawks a lot too.
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There is just something about them. We have a lot of red tails here. I have seen a few peregrine falcons too. Goof pictures. They are so regal. I mean the hawks, but the pictures too.
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I appreciate that. Peregrine falcons would be incredible to watch and photograph.
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I really need to get a good camera.
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Wow, that look is very intense indeed. I might have been just a teensy bit worried. 🙂
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At the time I’m so thrilled at the opportunity to be photographing this wonderful bird that i don’t think about it. Then I look at the photos and think ‘those are impressive weapons’ but of course the photo always makes it appear like it was much closer than I was.
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Lovely photos. “The look” from the fence post reminds me of my cat when she is displeased with me (like when I refuse her my lap, even though I’m sitting down and it’s clearly available!).
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Thanks. Yes I presume cats are capable of special looks as well.
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Great pictures! What hawk species is it? Swainson’s Hawk?
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Thanks. Yes I believe it’s a Swainson’s Hawk – according to my IBird app.
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Thanks for that info.
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Incredible photographs!
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Thank you. It was an incredible experience.
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