Sparrowhawk

[Pops]

This really caught me napping. I was peeling some spuds at the kitchen sink and heard a commotion. I glanced up and saw this Sparrowhawk had just swooped onto a Starling. Camera was mounted over the sink so I grabbed some shots without bothering about settings. Quality not so good cus it was raining at the time.

Hapy ending...the Starling escaped and the spuds got finished

[naturelover]

very well caught pops,i bet he wasnt happy losing his dinner.

[Dogghound]

Nice shot of a male. Always nice to see these lovely birds.

[Pops]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Nice shot of a male. Always nice to see these lovely birds.

Thanks for confirming the gender Doghound. First time I have seen one that close.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Pops

Hapy ending...the Starling escaped and the spuds got finished

well not so happy for the hungry sparrowhawk lol

[Emma S]

Wow, what a dramatic photo! Interesting to see the sparrowhawk's posture over the starling, also interesting orange area near the throat and orange eyes.

I think I've never seen a sparrowhawk - but then again maybe I have and have just not realised.

[Brocker]

Incredible birds arn't they. Good job you had yor camera close by

[Rob T]

Well captured Pops and you got the spuds finished to, well done.

Rob

[Blackbrook Eye]

A camera mounted over the sink? thats what I call dedication, well done Pops

[mrs fish]

Good photo pops

[buzfuz8149]

That is one great shot Pops, glad you got the spuds done.

[paulchandler6]

Originally Posted by Pops

Camera was mounted over the sink so I grabbed some shots without bothering about settings. ]

Thats dedication for you. A very good shot of Sparrowhawk in a classic pose on capturing prey.

Paul

[rainmaker]

How on earth did the starling escape??!!

[The Black Rabbit]

What a wonderful shot!
I've seen only four Sparrowhawk kills in my time, but never been lucky enough to see the "mantling" of the prey.
In those I've seen (including a Hawk taking a bat out flying in the day!), the Hawk just flew off with the small bird (or bat!)... to a more favoured feeding area I assume.
Thankyou for posting that photo.
Doug

[coasty]

Great Pic,,, They are a handsome bird,,,

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Pops

Camera was mounted over the sink so I grabbed some shots without bothering about settings.

Sound like the sort of cunning plan my wife would come up with. Anything to get me to do the dishes.

[ericrovve]

I thought it was just trying to keep the poor starling dry!

[Lance Morgan]

Once i was walking around the side of the house and a blackbird shot past me. I ducked and was just missed by a sparrowhawk which was chasing it.
WOW!

[Pops]

Thanks for all of your comments.
The tripod over the sink thing is almost a permanent fixture and visitors are now quite used to it. not that it bothers me.
I would miss out on a lot of shots if I moved it so there it stays.

[Blackbrook Eye]

And I thought I was the only one to have a tripod permanently set up in the kitchen. I have an ancient heavy wooden theodolite tripod, with a pan and tilt head fitted, that resides by the kitchen window all the time, just in case, and it has proved invaluable on several occosions, but it is a distance from the sink as I need to wash pots and pans occasionally, but if I had a sparrow hawk visiting regularly I would be happy to do the washing up in the bathroom if it meant getting pictures like yours.