I went for a late walk this evening, and strapped the camera case to my belt. I considered leaving it home. What, after all, will warrant a photo after 8:00 p.m.?
Flashlight in hand, I walked the 1 1/2 miles from my home to the entrance to the Tucson Mountain Park. There's a street lamp there, and its orange light was attracting insects. The insects in turn were attracting Night Hawks, who were feeding on the wing. It took five or six tries, but finally I captured this photo just for you. Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.
Check out the bird's eye!
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Wow Mike! You catch some strange happenings in the light of the moon :)
Sally,
Thanks for being the first to comment! There's a beautiful moon out tonight, but I didn't get it. There must have been twelve of these birds swooping in and out, capturing their evening meal.
Mike in Tucson
Cool pic Mike. I bet you were singing, "Ain't it good to be back home again..."
Your building consultant for Life in Nashville, TN
Fabulous. You got that Arizona night color in too.
Nice photo Mike,
Thanks for staying with it to get the photo to share with us.
Don,
We have a community center in our neighborhood with a pool that's lighted from beneath the water. I'm used to seeing these Night Hawks there, buzzing the water to pick up insects. This is the first time I've noticed a large group of them elsewhere.
Lenn,
Because of the observatories 75 miles west at Kitt Peak, our street lighting is all of an orange hue. The color adds drama to the photo, I think. Thanks for commenting.
Michael,
I was humming "Back in the saddle again" while I was ordering docs on a file yesterday. It's good to be back home. Thanks for stopping by.
Mike in Tucson
Awesome picture! Thanks for sharing with us.
Renee,
You're welcome! Thank you for stopping to visit. I'll see you soon on your blog.
Mike in Tucson
Wow, Mike! What an opportunity! We have lots of red tailed hawks around here, and they are not bashful about swooping down to show off. Thanks for sharing!
Mike - great shot, persistence pays off sometimes. It has been a few years since I have done any night photography, you may just inspire me to do some again.
Very cool photo the eyes of the hawk must be wonderful for them to see well at night.
Nice picture. You know that was Mu coming by to say hi!
Sue,
It's great to see you on my blog. Love to you and Ryan!
Terry,
They're nocturnal, and only hunt insects at night. The eyes are huge.
Mike,
I'll look for your work on your blog; thanks for commenting.
Carol,
I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Mike:
How neat is that photo!
Hope you are doing well...
The hawk eyes are just amazing. Thanks for sharing the photo with everyone. Have a great day.
Hi Mike: Your amazing with that camera - well done.
:)
You got some great visuals on your blog Mike. You are an artist as well. Thanks
Nice catch, Mike! I'm amazed you got it in so few tries.
Sounds like you survived the cattle drive in one piece. :-)
Mike,
After 14 years, I ought to! LOL
Ronnie,
You're welcome! Thanks for commenting.
Matt,
Persistence pays off, I guess.
David,
You're welcome! Here's hoping your day is successful.
Toula,
Thanks for stopping by. I read your comment on someone's blog about pelicans, and was surprised to learn from the authors response that Forked River is near Sanibel Island! LOL
Mike in Tucson
I'm glad that you had Jonathan on that walk with you - VERY COOL SHOT!
Sis-in-Law, Kathie
So that is what that bird is! I remember a few years back that I traveled with a friend, to Needles, California, to pick up a grandkid. It was the night of Winter Solstice on the Mohave Desert, and the night was totally moonless. Because of that, we could see every star in the sky. I pulled over to the side of the road to simply take it all in, when a bird like, or very similar to that one flew overhead. It was totally breath-taking. That's a really remarkable picture Mike.
Hi Mike,
You got a great shot, those colors look really cool! I love a good walk in the dark. :)
Wow! That is so cool, an actual Nighthawk! I always enjoy stopping by and seeing your photos and posts about the great outdoors!
That's an AMAZING picture!
Good Morning Mike.....I love taking pictures of birds but have not been presented with this photo op, great catch. I looked around some of your other posts...good stuff going on here ;-)
coolness!
There ya go. I'm never without a camera, day or night. Digital -- i.e., the lack of film and developing costs -- makes it soooooooooo worthwhile to take it with me everywhere.
I'm taking my camera just about everywhere I go, except when I'm running. It never fails, when I don't have it, I need it. What a cool shot you captured!
Mike, That photo was worth the 5-6 hour wait! Spectacular capture! This should be entered in a photography contest.
Margaret,
You're the most encouraging person I know! Thanks.
Ann,
Lighter camera in your future? :)
Russel,
You and me both!
Doreen,
Thanks for stopping by.
Gail,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Eleanor,
Amazingly LUCKY!
Russell,
Thanks. Stop by any time.
Suzanne,
I took it looking into the light, and was surprised at the colors!
Myrl,
You were no doubt seeing the same kind of bird!
Kathie,
Thanks for saying so. Sorry I took so long to respond on this one. :)
Mike in Tucson
Oh, this photo was great,I have really gotten into taking my camera everywhere, Margaret Rome showed me that was a great way of expressing yourself.Thank you Barbara
Awesome. I was just saying with my walking buddies that we should video our walk. You've inspired me. We see such wonderful things.
Great shot, Mike! You are so wise . . . I need to remember to grab my camera way more often than I do. I often regret leaving it behind. You'd think I'd learn!
Deena,
When I forget my camera, it's like I've forgotten my wallet. It's a rare occasion, and I always kick myself.
Marie,
I'll be over to your blog to check out your video. Do you have a Flip Video camera?
Barbara,
You're welcome! I'm glad you stopped by.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Mike. Thanks for the invitation to join this group. Didn't know we had such a group. This is really cool!! What a great picture. I'm waiting for some dry weather to out and get some exercise.
Lois,
Welcome aboard! We'll be glad to see your posts to the group.
Mike in Tucson
This could have been captioned "Eat at Joe's Light House."
Very cool photo. it almost looks animated
This is a great idea nice walk with a good camera.
Very nice! Thanks for posting had to read the blog to figure out what you were saying but then I saw it. Very very nice.