Saturday, December 08, 2007

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's Hawk came onto the deck.

The songbirds flew every which way.

Some took shelter under the deck.

Cooper's Hawk waited.

I am waiting for a winter storm to begin.

24 comments:

mon@rch said...

splendid action shots of this Coopers Hawk! I know exactly what you mean when the songbirds scatter!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

OMG Sherry you were so close to the Coop. What great pictures. We had one of these younguns in our garden today too. The birds are very skittish. I don't blame them. I got pictures but not nearly as good.

Batten down the hatches and stay warm.

Q said...

Hi Mon@rch,
Cooper has been hunting the backyard everyday now. Two or three times a day he flies through. The songbirds are just a nervous wreck! Not only do they have snow and freezing rain to deal with but with Cooper coming and going they have to be extra careful.
He has been on the deck off and on all day today. These photos were taken through the living room window. My husband was home today so he was able to watch Cooper's Hawk hunting. We never did see him actually catch any lunch. There are a few dozen House Sparrows maybe he could get one of those.
Sherry

Q said...

Hi Lisa,
I was close, maybe three feet away. But I was inside and he was out. He is a wonderful bird. My husband says I will not like him so much if he gets the little Carolina Wren. He is right too. Carolina Wren is so fast and can zip under the deck! I am not worried.
The freezing drizzle started about mid-afternoon. We have a Holiday party to go to tonight. I hope it just turns to snow. I do not mind snow but ice is so terrible.
I am warm in my silk long underware! It looks as if the temperatures will stay below freezing all week. I will want to go walking soon. I get all antsy to be outside.
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Totally unrelated to your magnificent photography - but thank you for mentioning (repeatedly) the book East Wind Melts the Ice. I requested it from the library on the basis of your recommendation, and I am loving it!

Judy

Marvin said...

Great shots of the Cooper's Hawk! I hope the the freezing drizzle did turn to snow.

smilnsigh said...

Magnificent!

And I admire the way you let Nature take its course. I've had a tendency to try to scare a hawk away...

Mari-Nanci

Jayne said...

OH Sherry!!! I about peed my pants when your blog loaded and I saw the Coop!!! What a wonderful opportunity you were gifted. Just fabulous shots!

Tumblewords: said...

Beautiful close ups of the Cooper! He looks rather kingly and more than a little powerful! Hope the party was fun!

Chrissie said...

Wonderful photos, Sherry.

Q said...

Dear Judy,
Glad you are enjoying East Wind Melts The Ice. I am inspired by this book. Come January I am writing my own almanac. I will do it as a blog and add to it as the year unfolds. I have ideas on how to go about a weekly entry of the natural world in my backyard. I can do a short essay and a photo.
You might also enjoy the "Pillow Book". Over on book club I am posting a bit about it and other books I am reading. I would enjoy your imput.
Discussing "East Wind" is ongoing too.
Thank you for commenting.
Thank you for the photo compliment. I do enjoy the camera and Mother Nature.
Sherry

Q said...

Hi Marvin,
The freezing drizzle turned into freezing mist. The temperature is cold, 19 degrees at 3pm! The sleet and freezing rain is in our forecast for the entire week. We have below freezing for highs too all next week. BRRRR...
I double bundle when I go out. Any wind and I back inside, it is just too cold.
Cooper's is a wonderful bird. I like the raptors.
I guess I like all the birds!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jayne,
When Cooper's comes there is drama!
Now that the weather has turned so cold and snowy the songbirds are near or on the deck. I have some water for them with a de-icer so they can get warm water instead of eating snow-cones.
I also added lots of front yard seed so if Coop is in the back the birds can come around front for a nibble.
I can see I will be on bird management this winter.
I loved seeing your Pine Warbler!
So beautiful!
I think a Ruby-crowned Kinglet was on one of the seed trays this afternoon. A lifer for me.
I keep watching for him to return.
I would love a photo.
Sherry

Q said...

Hi Mari-Nanci,
Seeing Cooper's Hawk every day lets me know I have a balanced environment going! I think I need more bushes near the deck for cover and will plant some next spring. Lisa at Greenbow has Pyracantha. It has orange berries and I think the birds would like them. I think adding those bushes and a few more butterfly bushes would be a good idea.
I do not like the squirrels in the feeders. They can get plenty of sunflower seeds from the seed trays. I do scare them off. They come right back!
Sherry

Q said...

Hi Sue,
Cooper's is a grand bird!
Party was okay. We did not stay too long so I was home in plenty of time to get my proper rest!
The roads were fine. The salt trucks had gone over them a few times. Sidewalks are/were very slick. I do a penguin sort of walk whenever I am out. I am sure I look strange but I do not want to fall!
Sherry

Q said...

Hi Chris,
Thank you!
I saw Mon@rch has a coat for his camera and lens. Mine needs one too. I would like to get protection so I can be out snapping photos in the rain and snow. I so hope you can get out soon. You have had so much wet!
Sherry

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Wow! What a great photo. xoxo Nita

Mary said...

SPECTACULAR! I am at a loss for more words.

You rock. And so does that Cooper's Haw :o)

Q said...

Dear Nita,
Thanks! Cooper is so exciting.
On the deck is very close. It is cool to watch the birds up close.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
He is incredible. I posted a photo of what I think is a Red-Shouldered Hawk over on Walking in Beauty. We saw him when we took a drive today. My husband pulled over and I stepped out and snapped about 75 pictures. LOL! I could do a four minute slide show of Red-shouldered turning his head!
Thank you Mary, you are so supportive.
Hugs,
Sherry

Deb said...

Hello Sherry
I have lots of catch up to do here at Q's Corner :-} ... we have had our own Coopers Hawk in the garden. He hit the kitchen window trying to get a sparrow - We caught view of him flying off (he hadn't caught anything) and found our squirrels Stewart & Sammy hidding under the garden bench :-}

Q said...

Hi Deb,
You are home! I hope you had a wonderful winter holiday.
Oh my, when Cooper's Hawk comes it is drama! Hope he is okay. Having a hawk is really a wonderful sign your gardens are in nice balance.
It can be scary for the little birds. I guess they would get a squirrel. I have never seen our Cooper go after a squirrel, but he could.
I shall pop over and say, "Hi."
Glad you are home all safe and sound.
Sherry

Sprite said...

*****

Oh My Goodness Sherry,

Cooper's Hawk is so awesome! I bet the wee ones did hide.

Lovely photos, that was a close one!

Love,
*sprite

Q said...

Dear Sprite,
He is Wonderful! I know he scares the little ones but I do like him.
It was very cool to see him up close too.
I bet off and on all winter he will come up to the deck. He does not seem to be afraid at all.
Hope you are staying safe and warm.
Love,
Sherry