49.2

After a long days shooting at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, in Norfolk, Virginia, I was headed back to the car to go home, when I spotted a hawk in a low branch of a tree on the side of the path. Luckily I had my 100-400mm lens on instead of my macro lens. I'd changed lenses to shoot hummingbirds, but had no luck at the time. The hummer flew off as soon as I got within range, and a couple, who seemed to be following me everywhere I went, got too close for the hummer to return and they didn't appear to be ready to leave any time soon, so I left in disgust, done for the day...or so I thought.

I took a few shots of the hawk and edged closer. It stayed for a while then flew onto the ground. I followed it and took a couple of shots--and saw that it was a Red-Tailed Hawk with its distinct red colored tail. Then it leaped onto a fallen tree. I took a few more shots, then it flew off again. I watched it go and followed it through the woods, though I was sure it was long gone. I thought I'd lost it, but as I stood looking at my photos; "chimping", I looked up into a nearby tree--and there was the hawk! I could hardly believe it! I took a few more shots--then the hawk spotted something under a bush and jumped to the ground again. Unsuccessful in its search for something to eat under the bush it hopped onto a low post on the edge of the parking lot where my car was parked. It stayed there for quite a while, seeming to pose for me--long enough for me to reposition myself a few times to get a better background, better lighting, to check my settings, and to change my focus point for a vertical shot. I was amazed at my good fortune--it must have been my lucky day!!