In the Right Place at the Right Time

Matthew 3:16

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

I've decided I need to have my camera with me all the time.  I just never know when a perfect moment and a great photo opportunity is going to come my way.  Like today...
I'm driving down the gravel road with my camera in the seat next to me.  Out my window, to the left, in the flash of an eye, I see what appears to be a hawk, swooping down to the ground and dive bombing a Caracara (Mexican Eagle, also known as a buzzard) on the head.  The hawk then lands in the top of the tree.  I stop my car and grab my camera to get a photo of the hawk who landed in the tree and disregarding the one still in the field.  Then I see the other big bird take flight toward the one in the tree.  That one LANDS on top of that hawk.  I'm snapping away at a rapid pace, not believing my eyes, now suspecting and still not sure but thinking I am seeing these birds mate.

 I'm thinking, "OMG, what in the world did I just see!"  Then they fly off.

I'm just blown away.  When I get to the house I zoom those pictures in on my camera.  They are phenomenal.  It is obviously two hawks.  They don't even appear to be the same kind.  Their feathers are different and they are different colors.

When I download them onto my computer I can't get close up like on my camera screen...so disappointing.

Here is a photo I took with my phone of the camera screen where I had zoomed in.
Just take my word for it...this was a once in a lifetime sight.  I hope I can check with our area game biologist and see what he has to say about the whole thing.  I'll probably google it too.  If I find anything else out...I'll let you know.

Isaiah 40
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love XO

The Owl and the Hawk

Birds of prey. I've been warned about those out here in the country in regard to my pup. They are beautiful but not to be trusted. I truly love those big birds, always have. I love to hear them and photograph them. However, at this point, with Ikey in the country with me, I do not trust them, not at all! I keep an ever watchful watch over Ike when he is outside. I've seen hawks flying over several times. I've heard them close more often than that, including the trees behind the house. I caught this one flying south across my yard then resting on the high line one morning last week. You can see he and a smaller hawk next to him. This is a Yellow Tailed Hawk.

While watching and photographing him, I caught him flying back north, again right outside my yard.

Here is a close up of one.  Aren't they beautiful??

                                        

For two nights in a row when I take Ikey outside before we go to bed, I've heard an owl in the trees just outside the fence. At least he's “hooting” to give me a warning that he's close. I don't know why they hoot, but I'm glad he does. I don't let Ikey more than three feet from me. I carry a flashlight. Last night I had a bag with me to put in my car and kept it with me until I picked Ikey back up. That owl makes me nervous. It's dark. He sees with microscopic eyes in the dark. He's fast. He makes no sound as he approaches. Though beautiful he can be deadly for small animals. I'll be reading up on him too!
I don't have any photos of the owls but if I did they might look like this...
                                                                            

  This is a great horned owl!                                              
 Or this, which is a barn owl.  In fact one late evening one of these almost flew into the window of my friend's Jeep.  It was so close it brushed the rear view mirror...phew!                           

In the meantime, I will remain close and watchful over my little Ikey!

Encourage One Another....continuing the journey on fresh paths.