COOPERS HAWK
On Friday morning I decided to go to La Chua Trail. Wasn't sure about the weather, but decided to go anyway. Something told me to take the boardwalk instead of the path to the spillway area. I saw this little Coopers Hawk sitting on the railing. I immediately stopped and took some photos from about 50 yards away. I moved closer, cutting the distance each time by 10 feet or so. I was able to work my way up to within 20 feet of this hawk, but not moving quickly or spooking it. This is as close as my telephoto lens can focus. He obviously saw me there as he continued to look at me, but didn't seemed to be too concerned. I took his portrait, then just stopped to admire him for at least 15 minutes, until he saw a mouse in the edge of the pathway and took off to try and capture it.
NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D300, f/7.1 @ 600 mm, 1/200, ISO 400, No Flash
copyright by Greg Stephens and Photography by Greg Stephens