Body Slam!

Sorry I've been away from the forums for so long, not by choice, I assure you. LOL I'm finally feeling my old self again and have lots to share

This picture was taken at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL. I believe the hawk may be a young one since there'd been an active nest this spring. The hawk was being mobbed by this grackle and a mockingbird. I could hardly believe that the grackle was slamming into the hawk like this. I watched this show for quite a while, til the hawk gave up and flew away. This was the best shot out of about 10...and I cropped it to show the detail

Nice shot! I'm always amazed at how brave they are when trying to deter hawks but I've also seen it backfire on them.

That's a great shot, Floridian. Glad to hear you're feeling better!!

I watched two barn swallows chase a huge hawk this morning. The image of that grackle shows amazing bravery.

Remember reading about a crow mobbing an eagle . . . the eagle reached out a talon and grabbed it, mid-air. Probably the easiest dinner it ever got!

Resin

Wow, great shot!

That is a great shot! I see the Red-wing Blackbirds chasing and attacking the hawks here...it is always a shock to see it!

Thanks! It seems every year we are able to watch a hawk v small bird encounter at the zoo. I have to wonder if it's the same birds. As far as I know there is only the single hawk nest on the property but lots of mockers and now grackles

Here's a display from a couple of years ago. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/592855/

Floridian - that's a great thread. Thanks for sharing the mockingbird's bravery with us!