• Thursday-What'sUP August 25 - 08:10 pm

Each time I check out Frederic W. Koski's photos, I think that they can't get any better, but somehow he manages to keep coming up with amazing shots. Birds especially, as you can see from today's three photos. Frederic threw in an extra treat, that you have to look closely at the photos to see...like in the top shot, can you spot the dragon flies flitting about ahead of the Harrier Hawk? Then in the second photo, you think you're watching the Harrier hunting for his dinner, which you are, but there's something else watching, too. Over on the right, you can just make out two deer, in the tall grass, keeping an eye on what that hawk is doing.

Frederic's last photo is so well framed, with the clouds and blue sky, that it gives you the feeling of this eagle soaring so high above, like you're right up there with him and ready to touch the clouds. Great captures, Frederic!

Awesome *action* pictures!

We had something strange happen to us while recently up in Gay. We went on a late afternoon bike ride on Gay-Mowhawk and found what we think was some kind of hawk sitting next to the road with his wings spread out his eyes closed and only moving his head back and forth every now and then. He allowed us to get very close for inspection without moving. Could not see anything wrong. We watched him for several minutes before moving on. He was not there the next day, and no feather were on the ground so I don't think he was someone's dinner in the night. Any ideas anyone? Maybe just stunned by a passing car?

Fantastic photos, Fred. It must be nice watching this drama unfold. Even the deer are interested. You should charge them a few 'bucks' for the event? :)

Great pictures!! I picked out the dragonflies and the deer right away before reading Mary's description. Way to go, Fred!!!

That hawk is much prettier than what I encountered Tuesday. Clipping along at about 50mph when suddenly a buzzard flew up from the weeds to my right, going in my direction. By letting off the gas I avoided making contact. Phew.....! I think I was fortunate in more ways than one....my son-in-law said that happened to him once, he didn't hit the buzzard but it (ahem) 'upchucked' its meal on his car! :-P

Hmmmm Shirley; I guess you could say your son-in-law scared the meal right out of that ole' bird!! ;-)

Awesome photos today. Any idea whereabouts these were taken?

I wouldn't want to be the victim of that hawk with his claws down ready to catch something!!! OUCHHH!!!!!

garnold... traveling down from the calumet area last saturday we saw much the same thing, i'd have to say somewhere around munising, several very alrge birds, i assumed they were buzzards because of their size and a red head ( but not a hawk ). quite near the road, one was standing straight up, wings spread as far as it could, facing the others. some kind of weird ritual ?

WOW....I knew as soon as I saw it...it's Frederic Koski who strikes again! You are beyond Blessed sir! Thank you for sharing!

Awesome pix thanks for sharing!

Incredible! and with the dragon flys and deer...thats just off the charts! I think that gets the Way-2-Cool award :)

Thank you, this is in northern Marquette County.

tom fisher (Osceola), Maybe what you saw were Turkey Buzzards. Not very good looking, but they sure are pretty to see when they're flying. Just like an aerial ballet.

Garnold--Raptors do this often, particularly Vultures. Usually they are just "sunning" themselves! Sometimes though they are doing a ritual called "mantling" whereas they are "protecting" the prey they just caught or they found. This is to "warn" others to stay away "this is mine" If you see a Vulture, Eagle or Hawk on the ground doing this, look if it in fact has something in its talons! ---Possible tho it had been hit or it was sick.