[BillM]

Hi everyone,
Was out in backyard yesterday, was looking pretty much towards left,
when from the right a Sharp-Shinned Hawk that had snuck up and perched
maybe 20 feet above me, jumped down and made the most spectacular
one-handed(foot) stab at a english sparrow (got it) Whole episode lasted
at most, 2 seconds. In spite of having 200/2.5 on K20, all I could do was blink.
Have notion to mount ZX-m film body close behind me with either 28mm
or 50mm lens to give wider field of view and set lens/camera to give me
as deep a DOF and as fast a shutterspeed as possible, in prevailing conditions.
Have modified hard wired remote to 20 foot length for Z body,
in a attempt to try and catch little bit of an event such this.

Anyone back themselves up in this manner? Would love to see tips/suggestions.

[Ira]

1) Hurricane Wilma a few years ago, which blew away a ton of cover for the critters.

2) I'm driving 25mph down my block, and flying in the exact opposite direction and heading straight for my windshield is a hawk trying desperately to gain altitude--because the live squirrel in his talons was weighing him down.

3) I swear--the bird gained sufficient altitude maybe a foot from my windshield, and the whole time, that squirrel was looking at me in a way I just can't describe.

Can't plan for these things sometimes.

[BillM]

Hey Ira,
Worst thing was, neighbors couple yards away seen whole thing, plus me with rig,
were yellin,did ya gitit? did ya gitit?

[Ira]

Hey Ira,
Worst thing was, neighbors couple yards away seen whole thing, plus me with rig,
were yellin,did ya gitit? did ya gitit?

Nothing to be embarrassed about, though it's aggravating to miss it.

In my case, there was no way in a million years I could have gotten that shot, even if the camera was sitting on the passenger seat.

[Lowell Goudge]

This seems to be like those fishing stories about the one that got away, but to continue the thread, I'll add my own.

Many years ago, I was cleaning the interior of my car, and had the doors and windows all open.

A small sparrow fluttered through the car (with motions like Woodstock from the Peanuts cartoon).

A few seconds later, I understood why, as a small falcon flew in the drivers door and out the open passenger door, to pearch a few feet away on the telephone lines.

Never had a chance, as my camera was in the house.

[Ira]

Never had a chance, as my camera was in the house.

What about the SPARROW? Did it get away!?

[tuco]

What about the SPARROW? Did it get away!?

Yeah, no cliff hangers!

[BillM]

Hey All,
Havent logged on in a while, hi Lowell, nice to hear from ya, that kinda stuff
happens to everyone I guess, would be nice to be able to "have a crack at it"
Attached pic is why I was there, wanted to capture that "Baby, be mine"
moment. this was last Fri., she(above) wouldnt take the worm, by Sunday,
had changed her mind, went out there and tried to get that.

[Tuner571]

I think that every photographer has the photo that got away. Unfortunately, I think it just comes along with the hobby. For me I was shooting a sunset and a flock of geese flew though the image as I had my back turned looking though my camera bag for a filter. Meanwhile, my friend is shooting away and doesn't say a word.