The steely eyed gaze of a killer

[Sootchucker]

Also posted I the Nikon Z7 forum.

Heard a commotion yesterday in the garden and looked out to see the poor pigeon being disembowled by our resident hawk (identification would be good as I'm not sure - sparrow hawk ?).

Was quite disconcerting to see the pigeon squirming then just stopped moving as the raptor ripped into it's flesh. Shot with my Z7 with the 300mm PF and 1.4x through double glazed windows at around 50m.

Gave me a right stare as they eat his/her meal.





Also managed to grab a quick shot with the EM1 MK III and the 300mm F4 before he/she flew off with their takeaway

 

[gramps]

Male Sparrowhawk by the looks of it, typically garden visitors for small birds etc.

 

[Deleted member 34016]

Lovely bird- and yes a well trained Killer too

 

[shannensdaddy]

Amazing quality of image shot through glass..

 

[Cobra]

Female Spar, she is wearing shorts and generally brown all over.
older males have a slate grey back, and bald matchsticks for legs.

Plus Males at around 4oz - 5oz are generally are to small to take a pigeon.
Females at around 10oz are more able to control the quarry once downed.

Well caught
(both you and her )

 

[Deleted member 34016]

Female Spar, she is wearing shorts and generally brown all over.
older males have a slate grey back, and bald matchsticks for legs.

Plus Males at around 4oz - 5oz are generally are to small to take a pigeon.
Females at around 10oz are more able to control the quarry once downed.

Well caught
(both you and her )

Sounds like my Mrs Chris

 

[Norkie]

Excellent set Andrew, well done indeed

 

[gramps]

Female Spar,

Should have gone to Specsavers!

 

[Cobra]

Should have gone to Specsavers!

LOL Roger, an easy mistake to make if you aren't used to seeing them,
I've trained and flown a couple so I should know the difference

 

[gramps]

LOL Roger, an easy mistake to make if you aren't used to seeing them,
I've trained and flown a couple so I should know the difference

I double-checked in my 'Collins' and confirmed it was a female, then latched onto the title 'Male' alongside it and it went downhill from then ... "Senior Moment" I think Terry Wogan used to call it!

 

[MartynK]

LOL Roger, an easy mistake to make if you aren't used to seeing them,
I've trained and flown a couple so I should know the difference

Indeed. I didn't realise you are a man of the cloth though...but you'll be familiar with The Boke of St Albans?

'An Eagle for an Emperor, a Gyrfalcon for a King; a Peregrine for a Prince, a Saker for a Knight, a Merlin for a Lady, a Goshawk for a Yeoman, a Sparrowhawk for a Priest, a Musket for a Holy water Clerk, and a Kestrel for a Knave'

 

[Norkie]

I recall reading that at school

 

[Cobra]

.but you'll be familiar with The Boke of St Albans?

Indeed I am..
I have many disguises,
Having trained and flown these among others.
Peregrine, Saker, Goshawk, Gyr, I've flown an eagle but never owned one,
I am now totally confused as to my royal status

 

[MartynK]

Indeed I am..
I have many disguises,
Having trained and flown these among others.
Peregrine, Saker, Goshawk, Gyr, I've flown an eagle but never owned one,
I am now totally confused as to my royal status

I can quite understand your confusion!

And just to add to it, a saker was also a type of C16th cannon...

 

[Cobra]

a saker was also a type of C16th cannon...

And of course the Male Sparrowhawk is a musket.
So named for the speed it leaves the fist after quarry.

Many falconry terms are still in use today, although many of the true meanings have been lost / consigned to history..

 

[MartynK]

And of course the Male Sparrowhawk is a musket.
So named for the speed it leaves the fist after quarry.

Many falconry terms are still in use today, although many of the true meanings have been lost / consigned to history..

Which is a pity because it's quite fascinating. Mews is still in use, of course, in a different context; but tiercel/tercel? Is this current in falconry?

 

[Cobra]

Mews is still in use, of course, in a different context;

As in mews houses, that's where the royal falconers lived.

but tiercel/tercel? Is this current in falconry

Yes, it describes a male, and means 1/3rd
males tend to be 1/3rd smaller than the female not totally accurate but close enough.

 

[RedRobin]

Firstly, excellent quality photos of the Sparrowhawk.

Secondly, very interesting indeed to hear about and learn about the birds of prey, their historical names and falconry terms.

 

[Cobra]

falconry terms.

"Cast" is a curious one.
A group of hawks ( Usually Harris Hawks) flying together is called a Cast (of hawks)
You Cast a bird from the fist
If you restrain a bird ( fitting equipment / medical attention etc ) you Cast it
When it regurgitates a pellet it casts ( a casting)

 

[MartynK]

Firstly, excellent quality photos of the Sparrowhawk.

Secondly, very interesting indeed to hear about and learn about the birds of prey, their historical names and falconry terms.

It is. I was intrigued by falcons and falconry when I read 'The Peregrine's Saga' (Henry Williamson) and 'As The Falcon Her Bells' (Phillip Glasier) when I was at school. I'm still interested...

 

[MartynK]

As in mews houses, that's where the royal falconers lived.


Yes, it describes a male, and means 1/3rd
males tend to be 1/3rd smaller than the female not totally accurate but close enough.

Thanks Chris, I knew about the 'one third' but I wasn't sure if the term is still used.

 

[Cobra]

Thanks Chris, I knew about the 'one third' but I wasn't sure if the term is still used.

Very much in use Martyn
Tiercel / tercel was always a male peregrine and Falcon the female.
In latter years both have become common when referring to most BoP's sex wise

As The Falcon Her Bells' (Phillip Glasier)

I met the man many years ago, a true gent. His daughter however is an arrogant bitch.

 

[Seajay]

Fantastic images!