I stalked this beauty.

[MN Shutterbug]

My intention this morning was to try and call in hawks. However, I never saw a hawk anywhere, which was unusual for this area. Instead, I walked down a trail leading to a small slough, and found this fella fishing. I was wearing my ghillie suit and would take a few slow steps and then stop for awhile. I could tell he knew something was amiss. It was only after he heard the shutter click a couple times that he decided he wasn't totally safe. However, instead of flying away, he flew right past me. I would have had a couple better shots, but didn't pull the zoom back fast enough and clipped a little of the wing. I could have repaired the wing, but instead decided to take my punishment like a man.

The ghillie suit really works. It's nice to not have to crop out 50%, while trying to keep things sharp.

[Catmendo]

Very nice Mike!

[Nymph]

nice shots.....wish I could get that close to them.

[Steve Foss]

That last one is really nice, Mike. Beautiful elegant form captured there. I don't see a wing cut off anywhere, though.

[MN Shutterbug]

I don't see a wing cut off anywhere, though.

That's because I didn't post those. Thanks.

[ShawnZ]

The flight shot is a real cracker! The whites look very nice on each image. Congrats on the good stalk.

[Birdsong]

Very nice! He was probably thinking about making one little alteration to the ghillie suit.

[panthrcat]

whoa! your so lucky!! we don't get these gorgeous birds around here,, I would give my right arm to get these shots!! nice work!!!

[Debbie K]

Sue - I'll give my left arm to get shots like these.

Stupid question and I could probably look it up, but what is a ghillie suit?

[Dbl]

That last shot is a beauty X!

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks, all.

Debbie, if you google all predators, you'll find their HSOforum, and then do a search for ghillie. It's the new rage. Soon, everyone will be wearing them.

[micpic]

X, those are great shots and I liked the last the best! The only thing I want to know is how hot is the Gillie suit? I went down to the river bottom today and got run out of the woods from GNAT'S. It was'nt pretty.

Mike

[MN Shutterbug]

Mike, I've worn this suit just once, when it was a bit over 50 degrees. I may test it again in the morning. I don't think it will be that bad, but wouldn't want to wear it in 85 plus degree heat.

[panthrcat]

my hubby is getting me one of them ghillie suits!!