ML146897781

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Behaviors

Carrying food; Flying

Observation details

A rare Pine Siskin (per eBird for location) appeared in my yard. I went outside to document and a dark bird flew down fast somewhat near the feeders, scattering the many American Goldfinch from the feeders, the yard, the trees. There were crows in the air but I thought it was unusual to see goldfinch scatter from a crow. I was in my car using it as a blind thus did not get a good view of the stooping bird. Shortly after, approx. 2 minutes, this Short-tailed Hawk appeared low above my yard. I didn't notice the male American Goldfinch prey until I processed the photos. The STHA didn't seem too interested in going to a feeding spot as it was a good 2, maybe 3 minutes after the stoop when it reappeared flying with its prey, circling above my yard. Looking back, that flash of dark large bird stooping in, now realizing it was this STHA, captured one of my yard male goldfinches in mid-air, about 15-20 feet above the foyer entrance to my home.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

400

Focal length

400 mm

f-stop

f/9.0

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

1741 pixels x 1393 pixels

Original file size

212.49 KB