Sepia Scenes - Hawk in birdbath

PhotoHunt - Stopping for a drink

Why are you looking at me? I just want a drink!

My World - And then there were four

The hawks returned Monday at dusk and this time there were four. We have seen three flying around, but not the fourth one. They stayed on thier perches for awhile, then the one on the ground flew over to the left to harass a squirrel. Another joined the fray, then both flew out into the field empty clawed. I believe they have nests in the trees to the west of us. If you missed them last week, go to Three days of the hawk.

Left

Middle

Right

Ground

My World - Three days of the hawk

Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday a pair of young Coopers Hawks visited us. I have occasionally spotted a Coopers Hawk high up in a tree or soaring overhead. Thursday I spotted one on the fence post and then discovered another on the ground. Friday they both went for a drink in the birdbath.

Saturday, Marianne spotted the hawk on the ground as a squirrel came down the tree looking for dinner. I went for my camera and got a few shots as the hawk tried to corner the squirrel. Attacking from the air, the hawk has the advantage. On the ground the squirrel easily out maneuvered the hawk. The hawk flew back up to a tree limb and the squirrel calmly ate his acorns, slowly working his way across the yard.

Hawk flew to the birdbath and squirrel wandered over to the lilac bushes. Hawk followed, but from his perch on the fence could not see the squirrel (and neither could I).

The hawk eventually flew high up into a nearby tree. Said squirrel left the liliacs and climbed the same tree where the hawk was perched. For a little more of the hawk/squirrel saga visit my Odd Shots - Living dangerously post. I did not see either of them on Sunday and during the three days, the usual small birds did not visit our birdbaths.

Sky Watch - The hawk and the crow

Last Saurday when I went out to shoot some images of the cat stalking the starlings (My World), I spotted a hawk in a tree nearby. A crow soon joined it. The hawk seemed to object and after some fluttering, the crow settled for a branch further away. After a few minutes they both flew off into the wild, windy blue yonder.

My World - Food Chain

Stalker

Saturday morning, I glanced out our dining room window and spotted one of the neighborhood cats watching something in the field. So I grabbed my camera and went out to see what was happening. The cat had its eyes on a large flock of starlings and began creeping closer and of course the startled starlings took flight.

Breakfast?

High up in a nearby tree, a hawk was keeping watch on the cat and starlings. A crow soon joined the hawk.

Higher up the food chain

No creatures were injured in making this post. The starlings adjourned to the top of a nearby tree. The cat left, still hungry. And the crow and hawk soared away. (More shots of the hawk and crow Friday in my Sky Watch.)

Window Views - Out our back windows

This week I have some shots looking out our back windows. This hummingbird has visited our feeder by the patio often this summer along with at least two others. Two weeks ago this one stayed at the feeder for a couple of minutes (usually they stay only for a few seconds and another one will chase it away). We believe they departed for their winter home down south last weekend.

And this is the view through my office window across our deck and the farm behind our house.

My World - Small flyers

Two hummingbirds have been visiting our feeder for a while; zipping in quickly for a sip or two and then disappearing. Sometimes both would feed and at other times they would chase each other away. Occasionally, they would feed when we were sitting on the bench near the feeder. On Friday this one spent over a minute feeding at the Verbena flowers on the patio, giving me time to get a dozen shots.

My World - Catbird

About three weeks ago, we spotted two of these small birds while working in the flowerbeds near the deck. The mate to this one came rather close as I was pulling weeds and mulching. A quick online search led me to believe they are catbirds. A few days later as I was digging holes to plant the hibiscus, one of them hopped right down in the hole and grabbed a grub. I stopped digging and grabbed my camera, taking pictures while he (or she) explored the hole, ate a few more grubs, and eventually flew up to the fence post nearby. The mate remained under the lilacs ten feet away. Several times since, they have landed near me as I was working in the flowerbeds.

My World - Turkey Vultures

Of all the large, soaring birds around here, I see more turkey vultures than hawks. As I dropped off some bags of leaves at the compost site, I spotted two vultures over the barn. So I walked closer to them and took a few shots. They flew over to the house and perched on the chimneys. Then they took flight again, soaring overhead. As they left, I spotted another bunch off to the east taking to the skies.

PhotoHunt - Water birds

These feathered friends in Baker Park were enjoying their swim and one came on shore to see if the camera was edible.

Odd Shots - Blue bird of Halloween

Have you seen the blue bird of Halloween? One shows up around here in October and is gone by Thanksgiving (I think the large turkey that flies in mid November scares him away.) The blue bird roosts in the happy tree and feeds on pumpkin seeds.

To see more Odd Shots, start at Katney's Kaboodle and follow the links.

Odd shots - Bird seed thief

I caught this bird seed thief in action at my brother-in-law's house in June. He just climbed the metal pole, jumped to the feeder and had a snack.

To see more Odd Shots, start at Katney's Kaboodle and follow the links.