So I'm watering my Blackberries and .......

[dalthauser]

I look up and jump out of my skin - there is a giant bird perched on a branch of one of my trees.  I don't know if it's a hawk or an owl or a hawl/owl mutant.  It's BIG that's what I'm sure of.  I immediatly start up a conversation (because I'm eccentric   friendly) - "so, if I go inside and get a camera - you won't leave will you?".  Since he didn't move, I snuck off inside to get the camera.  After I had the equivalent of a top model photo shoot with him - I went in to start a load of laundry.  When I came back out he was gone.  I miss him already..... I hope he writes.

Comments

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

Looks like a Coopers Hawk

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Coopers_Hawk_dtl.html

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Yay - thanks for the link. A bird eater.... that's kind of creepy and cannibalistic. I hope they don't eat chickens.

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

Heavens that is a concern! You might have a chat with the chicken folks for the low down on who is a threat - maybe show them the picture! I hate to think about that.

[onecrowesorrow.livejournal.com]

Ooooo, he is beautiful. You are so lucky he stayed for the photo shoot. Must think himself quite the handsome boy. Good for you! Thanks for the pics.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Looks a little like Bogey's Maltese Falcon

[bright-feather.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous picture!!! It could be a red shouldered hawk, especially with the banded tail. Red tailed hawks have no bands, and Coopers Hawks, I think, are somewhat smaller. We have the Red Shouldered Hawks around here a lot. I feed them turkey necks that I get at the store. I have a tree outside the sunroom that has a small branch where I wire the neck to it (on both ends). I used string until I realized that it was just snipping it off and flying away with the neck. Now he (or she) has to sit there and rip away at it. I just do it in the winter when it's cold outside. They are such beautiful birds. I have many hawk tales I could tell.

[mztasia.livejournal.com]

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Broad-winged_Hawk_dtl.html

From the link sahlah posted above and looking at other hawks that can be found in Texas the Broad Winged hawk would be in our area for migration about now. And the photo on the link and the photo from eats_veggies back yard look *very* similar.

No matter what the breed it's a very beautiful bird! I love watching the hawks around our place.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I love watching them too. Sometimes I even pull over while I'm driving if I see a nice one. We have lots, but I've never been so close until now.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I'd love to feed them, but I think they are meat eaters. I don't really don't eat meat, but my neighbors might give me table scraps if I asked. Do you cook everything first or leave it raw?

[minemouse.livejournal.com]

Wow, so cool!

We keep hearing what sounds like an owl in the ravine behind the house, but haven't been lucky enough to see him.