Backyard terrorist

[BrianA61]

This is the little terrorist that has been reeking havoc on the tweety birds at our back yard feeder. After having my camera at the ready for two days, I was finally able to get a quick couple of pics of the menace. This is an immature Coopers Hawk. They feed on small birds. Just before the pic was snapped, a squirrel was feeding on the ground near the window. Just before the hawk landed, the squirrel freaked out and went running off through the bushes with the seeds it was eating scattering everywhere. Quite comical.

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[NorthernFocus]

Pretty bird. But deadly. Looks like he must have moved his head just as you shot. Not quite crisp from the shoulders up.

... Just before the hawk landed, the squirrel freaked out and went running off through the bushes with the seeds it was eating scattering everywhere. Quite comical.

I'm often amazed at how far in advance some critters can spot a predator. I've seen them dive for cover when the closest threat that I could perceive was an eagle flying by several hundred meters distant.

[BrianA61]

The pic is crystal clear in the original. For some reason when I upload through tinypic, the photo loses its sharpness. I have sharpening turned to high on lightroom export option.

[NorthernFocus]

The pic is crystal clear in the original. For some reason when I upload through tinypic, the photo loses its sharpness. I have sharpening turned to high on lightroom export option.

I have had the same problem some times even without using tinypic.