I didn't even attempt to scale up to 'large birds' for today, but I saw enough to warrant a small diversionary scheme, albeit with a little bit of repetition (just to prove the point).
It all started in a fairly quiet way, down at the churchyard.
The jackdaws were happily posing.
And once again the black-headed gull were pretending to be perching birds.
Then this. A high-speed sparrowhawk sweeping across the sky in search of prey…. 
But wait. Not everything is quite as it seems. Draw back the shot, and this is what I saw.
The prey turned hunter.
That's a mistle thrush (living up to its nick-name of 'missile' thrush) doing a fine job of chasing away the poor raptor. I do feel a little sorry for sparrowhawks. They must be among the loneliest birds in the world.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
ICU109
7 Nov 2012btw love that churchyard.
ICU109
7 Nov 2012gotcha. lol. wish I had the camera equipment and the tendency to get out of the house it would take to capture such stunning images!
serola
8 Nov 2012What, no large birds like White-tailed Eagle :p
Cool documentary
SittingFox
8 Nov 2012That is an exceptionally brave thrush to mob without a group! Yes, you would think that hawks get fed up with their reception (and anything that looks vaguely like a hawk as well – I've never forgotten seeing jackdaws mobbing a passing heron).
Words
11 Nov 2012Adele, jackdaws are a bit prone to fairly mindless assaults. Not fussy at all who they attack, including to other jackdaws on occasion. It was odd to see a thrush taking on local patrol duties.
Words
11 Nov 2012Kathy, the churchyard is a regular haunt 😉 Getting out is the first step…
Words
11 Nov 2012Sami, one day, one day….
ICU109
18 Dec 2012yes. a first step. hubby be home for Christmas, bet he forces that step. Get yo ass up out that bed and get out in the car! Oh yes, over the river and through the woods, lovely, dark and deep, to Grandmothers' house we shall be borne away.
http://my.opera.com/ICU109/albums/showpic.dml?album=12775142&picture=168337712
ICU109
18 Dec 2012needs sparkles. have to figure that one out.
Words
19 Dec 2012Kathy, I took a look at the album. Nice images, and a lot of work I imagine. :up:
ICU109
22 Dec 2012therapy for my anxiety and concentration issues and I love graphics. over 2 years now and well over 3000 images, lost count, since I taught myself PaintDotNet 2010.