Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Holy Humping Hawks!

 

 Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park  (high 80, low 54)

I am hoping I have resolved my 403 error with Google and this will post.

The weather has been perfect, and I hope it holds out because we have a lot to do before we leave.

The only problem we’ve had is that the days are too short, and we run out of day before we run out of things to do.  It’s so much nicer when the days are longer.

We’ve had some wonderful happy hours by the campfire, with a beautiful full moon.

This shot was taken through some tree branches and made the moon look kind of different, don’t you think?

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Every morning, at the crack of 6:00 ish, we were up and on the road for a drive along the 5 mile campground trail. It’s still dark but the beautiful full moon lights the way. This road is a great place to see wildlife and we always see something interesting.  We always take another drive just before sunset.

During the day, we do hikes.  There are miles and miles, and miles of trails.  Two women that are camping nearby, got lost on horseback the other day.

Before daylight, we see lots of deer and rabbits and we think we saw a bobcat one morning.   I didn’t get a picture before it scooted across the road and into the prairie.

The full moon soon gives way to a foggy sunrise.

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As the sun came up, the fog burned off and it was the beginning of another beautiful sunny day on the prairie.

We saw a flock of White Ibis.

flying Ibis

Along the road we saw this Red Shouldered Hawk perching on a fence post.  I almost didn’t bother to stop for a photo because she didn’t really  look that pretty and I’ve seen SO many hawks on this prairie.

But…the good little photographer in me wouldn’t let me stop without a picture, and boy was I glad I did.

Red Shouldered Hawk on Prairie

While I had my eye in the viewfinder taking pictures of her,  Al said another hawk flew right beside me.

He landed right on top of Ms. Hawk.

mating Red Shouldered Hawk on Prairie

I was already focused on the female hawk so getting some action shots was easy.  Holy humping hawks!

mating Red Shouldered Hawk on Prairie

They fooled around a little, the male flew off and then the female followed him.  We decided not to follow as I don’t think think they had finished.  :)

It’s definitely mating season in Florida. We think the Caracara are also building  nests, and we believe we have discovered where one of them is.

I’m going to keep this short to see if it will post.  Between my 403 error and slow internet, it’s been a challenge.

29 comments:

  1. Ahhhh... the crepuscular hours... my favorite time of day... and, apparently, of those amorous hawks ;-) Love the shot of the moon and trees!

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  2. LOL! That's the shot of a lifetime! I imagine it was a speed hump.

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  3. Wow. Love your red-shouldered hawk photos. That's the first time I've seen one--never saw them in the Northwest or Hawaii.

    Your humping hawks photo reminds me of the rollicking roadrunner photos I captured while we were gate guarding in June 2012. You can find them in my blog dated June 6 called "Roadrunner PDA."

    Don't you just love those nature moments?

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    1. Will definitely have to check out the rollicking roadrunners.

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  4. You just never know what you're going to end up with when you take out the camera. The mating photo has to be a pretty rare one in the wild, I'd think.

    Your moon shot looks like it should be on a Halloween card with a witch on broomstick flying through. :)

    Your beautiful header photo cracks me up - it looks like it's wearing the "hair hat" I bought in Quartzsite last year, you know... the one with the black visor and fake grey hair popping out the top.

    You always have the best header photos!

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  5. Great photos, Karen. Glad you figured out the 403 error thing as I wouldn't have wanted to miss these!

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  6. Now that is one photo I have never seen. Two hawks making whoopee. They were lovely photos though.

    Sent from my iPhone

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  7. Great photos! Love your first shot of the moon through the trees.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  8. Didn't realize this was a porn site....Just kidding. Great shots...

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  9. Too funny! Would love to know how you fixed the 403 error, I get that a lot!

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  10. I have never seen any wild life pics to match the hawk shots, not even in National Geographic! The moon shot was my favorite one, it looked like the moon was smiling.

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  11. I'm blushing, you could have put an "X" rating in your post title... ;c)

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  12. Have you checked out Birds and Blooms magazine? I'm sure your photos would be published.....award winning! The moon shot is awesome! So glad you got the 403 error fixed so we can all enjoy your pictures!

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  13. What Gay and Joe said! For sure! Just fabulous!

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  14. It's the kind of picture you would never get if you were trying! I love the one with him standing on her back!

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  15. Karen, your photos are beautiful.

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  16. Nice capture ... you never know when Mother Nature is going to reward you for your diligence of a photographer.

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  17. Hey Karen, We did get a site at Midway. Looks like you are having another fabulous time at the prairie. Our internet here is so sketchy that it won't bring up all your pictures so I haven't seen the hawk ones yet. I'll try tomorrow up at the visitor center. Sounds like they are fantastic from what everyone else says. I'm not surprised.

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  18. Can't add much to what has already been said. Very very good pictures. I'm sure those hawk pictures would be of interest to any number of nature publications.

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  19. In the right place at the right time, excellent pictures.

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  20. I declare you do get THE best pictures at Kissimmee. It is your place. This PDA clearly shows those hawks to be teenagers! What time of the day did you get those pictures? I'm amazed that she didn't fly off if you stopped the car. You have the magic.

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    1. Right after sunrise Sherry. I was only about 25-30 feet from her standing on the side of the road. I got her again this morning..same spot.

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  21. You definitely got some great early morning shots . . . I guess it pays off to be an early bird!

    Now that I've found your blog again, I need to add it to my blogroll, so we can keep up with you!

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  22. Your timing is incredible....great pictures again Karen!

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  23. great timing and great pictures Karen....sadly I'm no longer an early bird...but am leaning toward being a night hawk. :)

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