How beautiful these photos of the hawks are; how they always are in their natural state. Doing what hawks and all birds do. Even though they have to seek food daily, they do not have the stress that we humans do. Thanks for the photos and poetry, Neil .You confirm the beauty and benefits of Nature. Happy New Year.
Thank you Perry and much appreciated. I did notice that these Cooper's Hawks behaved indifferent to my being around them on many occasions. At times, it was as though I were invisible. I appreciated that about them in a way as I think I was able to see a few moments of them simply being a hawk. Happy New Year to you, too Perry.
Just my blathering- trying to imitate the old guys. I really should try harder to restrain my mouth. Pay no attention. A wonderful Sijo really. A form of seed tax.
Thank you for collecting all these in one post! I had a two visits from Cooper's hawks this year, February and November. They are always striking, even when less dignified... The second visit, they pointed their cloaca at my lens and let go right as I snapped the picture.
You’re welcome Thomas and happy to share! That’s great that you have had visits from Cooper’s Hawks. Such a treat to see even for a moment. I really like the intensity in their stare.
I have Coopers hawks in my yard on occasion, but they are hunting, for the most part diving onto or thrashing with prey in the bushes, so I love all the portraits of them you have taken.
crystal clear shots and such beauty. I assume you speak Korean? Do you watch Korean films on streaming outlets? wonderful offerings. Pachinko on currently. The haiku is sweet and so relevant. Thank you for offering us a look into the Cooper's Hawks world. There are two pair living in Frick Park but i have never seen them up close
Thank you Nettie. Yes, I speak Korean, probably at a mid- to low-intemediate level as my wife likes to remind me. Haha.. That’s great that you have a pair living near you. Hopefully you have an opportunity to see them up close one day. Amazing birds.
Year of the Cooper’s Hawk indeed! Excellent photography and poetry, Neil. It’s been a privilege to follow along with your encounters. Looking forward to more of your work in 2025.
A wonderful way to scroll through the year, Neil. This is quite a calendar of Cooper's Hawks and really meaningful, framed by the beautiful silo poetry. Have a very Happy New Year and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your outdoor adventures in 2025!
I love watching hawks and often wish I could join them in the air. On your lovely paired Cooper’s and to wish you a Happy New Year, here’s my attempt at a sijo:
We stay together, despite the uncertainty of our next meal
Soaring, gliding and diving for joy, but also for dinner
Floating on air gives new perspective and unending hope
A year’s worth of Cooper’s Hawks - absolutely beautiful images and poetry, Neil! And a perfect conclusion: “What more can there be than the beauty of the present moment?”
Beautiful tribute to the silent hunter! Every summer I have a newly fledged Cooper’s hawk make it to my yard right around the same time that the newly fledged Blue Jays arrive. Every year, like clockwork. I can pick the day from my journal. It’s so interesting to watch them learn their respective skills WITH each other. The Hawk learning patience and how to efficiently hunt. The Blue Jays learning how to mob the Hawk.
Thanks Lisa! That's amazing that you're able to see the fledglings regularly like that. They such a treat to see figure out the world around them while everything is so new.
Thanks Beverley and very much appreciated. Both encounters were so memorable. I still remember that hawk from “Hunting Practice” flying directly overhead. I was too amazed to do anything with my camera. Best enjoyed simply watching and witnessing.
How beautiful these photos of the hawks are; how they always are in their natural state. Doing what hawks and all birds do. Even though they have to seek food daily, they do not have the stress that we humans do. Thanks for the photos and poetry, Neil .You confirm the beauty and benefits of Nature. Happy New Year.
Thank you Perry and much appreciated. I did notice that these Cooper's Hawks behaved indifferent to my being around them on many occasions. At times, it was as though I were invisible. I appreciated that about them in a way as I think I was able to see a few moments of them simply being a hawk. Happy New Year to you, too Perry.
"Nearing the completion of a circle turn around the Sun."
-bowing. getting up
"The spirit of Nature moving through all and not understood."
- naturally enough, a good thing.
"What message does Nature bring and what message do you hear?"
-two corpses in one coffin. He's spending the family patrimony for your sake.
Thank you Michael and appreciate these. I especially like "naturally enough, a good thing." This one rings true for me. Much appreciated.
Just my blathering- trying to imitate the old guys. I really should try harder to restrain my mouth. Pay no attention. A wonderful Sijo really. A form of seed tax.
The seed tax is one certainty on all my hikes!
Thank you for collecting all these in one post! I had a two visits from Cooper's hawks this year, February and November. They are always striking, even when less dignified... The second visit, they pointed their cloaca at my lens and let go right as I snapped the picture.
You’re welcome Thomas and happy to share! That’s great that you have had visits from Cooper’s Hawks. Such a treat to see even for a moment. I really like the intensity in their stare.
I have Coopers hawks in my yard on occasion, but they are hunting, for the most part diving onto or thrashing with prey in the bushes, so I love all the portraits of them you have taken.
Thanks Loganand they are a sight to see when they’re hunting. Their maneuverability in the woods and around hedges is pretty amazing to see up close.
crystal clear shots and such beauty. I assume you speak Korean? Do you watch Korean films on streaming outlets? wonderful offerings. Pachinko on currently. The haiku is sweet and so relevant. Thank you for offering us a look into the Cooper's Hawks world. There are two pair living in Frick Park but i have never seen them up close
Thank you Nettie. Yes, I speak Korean, probably at a mid- to low-intemediate level as my wife likes to remind me. Haha.. That’s great that you have a pair living near you. Hopefully you have an opportunity to see them up close one day. Amazing birds.
What an awe-inspiring compilation! Thank you for your work, Neil.
Thank you Ann and very much appreciated. I owe it all to this family of Cooper’s Hawks from 2024.
Year of the Cooper’s Hawk indeed! Excellent photography and poetry, Neil. It’s been a privilege to follow along with your encounters. Looking forward to more of your work in 2025.
Thanks James and very much appreciated!
A wonderful way to scroll through the year, Neil. This is quite a calendar of Cooper's Hawks and really meaningful, framed by the beautiful silo poetry. Have a very Happy New Year and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your outdoor adventures in 2025!
Thanks Heidi and much appreciated! Looking forward to more adventures too in 2025. Have a Happy New Year!
I love watching hawks and often wish I could join them in the air. On your lovely paired Cooper’s and to wish you a Happy New Year, here’s my attempt at a sijo:
We stay together, despite the uncertainty of our next meal
Soaring, gliding and diving for joy, but also for dinner
Floating on air gives new perspective and unending hope
Thanks Carole and love that sijo! I really enjoy watching hawks as well. It almost feels like time stops for me.
This made me so happy.
Thanks Sarah and much appreciated.
A year’s worth of Cooper’s Hawks - absolutely beautiful images and poetry, Neil! And a perfect conclusion: “What more can there be than the beauty of the present moment?”
Thanks Sydney and much appreciated!
Beautiful tribute to the silent hunter! Every summer I have a newly fledged Cooper’s hawk make it to my yard right around the same time that the newly fledged Blue Jays arrive. Every year, like clockwork. I can pick the day from my journal. It’s so interesting to watch them learn their respective skills WITH each other. The Hawk learning patience and how to efficiently hunt. The Blue Jays learning how to mob the Hawk.
Thanks Lisa! That's amazing that you're able to see the fledglings regularly like that. They such a treat to see figure out the world around them while everything is so new.
What a beautiful collection of photos and poetry Neil. My favourites are Staking Claim and Hunting Practice.
I feel I could linger and journal over Hunting Practice for a long time 🕰️ 🕰️🕰️
Thanks Beverley and very much appreciated. Both encounters were so memorable. I still remember that hawk from “Hunting Practice” flying directly overhead. I was too amazed to do anything with my camera. Best enjoyed simply watching and witnessing.
What more can there be than the beauty of the present moment? I will carry this line with me in the coming year.
Thanks MK CREEL and i hope that helps into the new year. Best wishes for the new year!
Beautiful! We've got Northern Goose Hawks around here, but I can't seem to find them. LOL :)
Thanks Sean and much appreciated! Hopefully you find one for the New Year.
Beautiful bird and beautiful poems here!
Thanks and much appreciated!