But when I stepped out into the backgarden, I surprised a Kite (or some kind of hawk) while it feasted upon a sparrow it had just caught.
It looked quite pleased with itself.
When I made a sudden movement, it flew away. I then poked around the shed, trying to find my tarp.
I've been thinking a lot about how I'll be using a tarp on my next camping trip, in lieu of using my 7 lb tent. I'll use a tarp as a groundsheet too, and seeing that I'm likely heading out in April or May, there won't be many bugs to worry about. The tarp will keep the rain and wind away from me, and a good wool blanket or two will keep me warm.
My last post - Tutorial: An Improved Tarp Tent Shelter Design for Bushcraft Camping and an earlier one, How to Make a Tarp Shelter - A Tutorial have information on how to put up a tarp in a couple of different configurations.
I figure that the latest version will be best for me - I am going to test it in my backyard using a cheap Canadian Tire tarpaulin just to get the configuration and measurements correct for the grommets etc...
SectionHiker.com reviews the Gossamer Gear Bug Canopy - perfect for setting up under a tarp in the event of mosquito or black flie swarms.
Have a look through some of the following tarp tent videos I found on YouTube and see if they give you any good ideas towards replacing your tent with a good tarp:
Cheers,
Mungo
8 Bahs!:
Looks like a female Sharp shinned hawk to me ... but as you are in Canada and they aren't native to the UK I'm not sure. Very closely related to the UK sparrowhawk though.
Great pics I love my nylon tarps!
Hey Mungo,
Also check out Bushcraft Northwest (http://www.bushcraftnorthwest.com/articles/articles.htm) for some other good tarp videos.
They also sell an inexpensive, 4oz net, similar to yours, with a bottom and elastic opening to slip into. I have been wanting to pick one up for some time.
Brian
Thanks Wandering Photographer... I'm even wondering if it is a juvenile red tailed hawk... will have to poke around the web for confirmation.
Scoutinlife - thanks! Yes, the nylon tarps are great because they're so lightweight... I hope I find mine soon... :-)
Thanks Brian too for the links. I'm checking out the 4oz net now. I've added the 2 tarp related videos above - thanks!
Mungo
Mungo, the more I look at this the more I'm convinced it is female Accipiter striatus (Sharp-shinned hawk).
Check:
1. The "Sharp shins" :)
2. The "banding" on the tail.
3. The "streak" over the eye.
The tail bands pretty much rule out a red-tailed hawk.
Here's one of my own images of Accipiter nisus - the closely related Sparrowhawk. See the banding on the tail?
http://www.northern-focus.com/photo_2101763.html
The netting is exactly what the son-in-law is getting for his fathers day gift. I had no idea they made these and he loves to go out to the woods on an overnight every now and then hunting, and he does use the tarp. Perfect! Thanks.
It is a Juvenile red tailed hawk. For some reason there seems to be few flying around the city.
It is a Juvenile red tailed hawk. For some reason there seems to be few flying around the city.
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