Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Being Open to Opportunity Is One Thing

Being ready to act on it is quite another.

That is the message I received today as I strolled through my much loved local park.  As is usual for me I had my camera and my dog, and, as is also usual for me, I get my best insights when I have the camera to my eye.  This park I frequent, Covington Park, is adjoining the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a world renown birding site, so there's always a great chance rare birds can be seen in this dog friendly park next door.  I was inviting whoever wanted to show up to pose for me as I walked along.  I saw a Red Tail Hawk in the distance, too far away to photograph, but so thrilling to watch as it soared, dived and circled.

My dog and I slowly wended our way back to the parking lot enjoying the shade of the bare cottonwoods when I was urged to glance up.  A beautiful Red Tail Hawk was gliding in to land right above me!  It's glorious red tail was glowing like embers in the setting sun as it braced itself for landing.  I had inadvertently wandered under the very tree in which it was building its nest. By the time I saw the hawk and snapped a couple of pictures it was too close to me for the lens I was using.

Red Tail Hawk bringing in nesting material.

Mmmm...there's one stick poking me in the you-know-what....

There was my message: when I send an invitation to the Universe stay awake for the the answer!
Getting the camera up and getting the picture would help, too.  Of course, it wasn't lost on me that this is a good philosophy for most aspects of my life, too.

I'm linking this to Nature Notes at Michelle's Rambling Woods Blog.

17 comments:

MTWaggin said...

Indeed the Universe answered your call for great photo ops and you got them! Nice shots!

Karen said...

Oh wow, awesome!

Andrea said...

Yes i believe you, but your focus is quick! You got the best shot there. It is amazing how big and heavy their nesting materials are, and i guess the nest is very high.

Jackie said...

Oh my you were at the right place at the right time. This is just wonderful. I love it! Great shots!

Carole M. said...

great photographic opportunity; enjoyed your post

Neil said...

Great shot.

EG CameraGirl said...

Great advice and what great photos you took!

Lea said...

Wow! You were certainly in the right place at the right time!
Great photos!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Amanda said...

Oh beautiful! It's always loving seeing the nice side of raptors!

Rambling Woods said...

Oh wow..what a treat. I would be thrilled to get these photos. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful raptor to Nature Notes Barb...Michelle

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

This is a BIG WOW!!!!

Barb said...

Thank you. A dose of luck always helps.

Barb said...

Thanks Michelle. I was very thrilled.

I'm pleased to be able to post on your page again. I went through a period there where I had to leap through all sorts of hoops to post then it would accept it. I couldn't get a message to you, either, to tell you of the issues. Anyway, pleased to be able to join you again. I was thinking of you all through your recent dark days and I do hope your health is improving.

Kalyan said...

simply beautifully captured shots...lovely!

Willow said...

Looks like you had a hawk eye view on the hawk! Lol Great pics.

Barb said...

Ha, ha! Yes, I did! Expect the hawkeye with the camera was almost asleep and the hawk was too close before I noticed it. Sigh....

Anonymous said...

Lovely post and fantastic photos! so happy to follow
Mary x