Flying into the woods

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Flying into the woods

March 7, 2013 by Mike Powell

I stood and waited, camera at the ready, as I stared at a hawk in a tree overlooking a field, hoping that he would fly toward me when he spotted a prey.

I waited and waited and finally he took off from the branch. Unfortunately, he flew up in the air and away from me, rather than down and toward me. I tried to track him and snapped off a couple of photos.

I managed to capture him with his wings fully extended as he headed into the woods and was struck by the degree to which he blends in with his surroundings.

I am sure that I will soon find myself in a similar situation, watching and waiting—it’s the fate of those of us who choose to photograph wildlife.

Posted in Birds, Landscape, Nature, Photography | Tagged Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, hawk, Huntley Meadows Park | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on March 7, 2013 at 6:55 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

If there is one thing that nature teaches us, it’s patience.
on March 7, 2013 at 11:34 am | Reply lylekrahn

Yes waiting and watching is sometimes our fate but next time he’ll fly towards you.
on March 7, 2013 at 4:11 pm | Reply krikitarts

I’m with the NH Gardener, Mike. There’s a grand glow of hope when you wait poised for a shot, fully alert for what you just know is about to happen, and one of the most important elements is patience. Even though he flew in the other direction, you came away with a keeper and, as you say, you’ll be ready again next time!
- on March 7, 2013 at 7:24 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks for the words of encouragement. I’m eternally optimistic. Now I just have to as much patience as I have optimism.
on March 8, 2013 at 5:48 am | Reply Ed

Yep its a virtue as the saying goes, great shot..:-)
- on March 8, 2013 at 6:27 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ed. “Patience is a virtue” rates right up there with “It’s good for you” and “Someday you will thank me for this.”