Terror in the backyard and my reward......
Is it a hawk or a falcon? Whichever it is it landed in my backyard to start having lunch. By the time I moved to the next window to get a better shot, it took off and had lunch somewhere else.
This is what the squirrels do when a hawk flies over. It is called FREEZE! They run to the nearest tree and flatten themselves against the tree and remain motionless until they sense the danger is over. See those little ears perked up to hear everything? They remained like this for over a minute after the hawk flew away. I spent some time outside digging yesterday trying to get the Rose of Sharon under control. It drops seeds and dozens of new sprouts come up. I haven't kept up with them and have about 3 years worth to dig out. I just did one small area and dug around 50 volunteers. I have a friend who will take a few but I'll have to throw the rest away. And this is just the white ones; I have the purple ones at the other end of the house.
And now for my reward. I had 2 finishes this week so I got a reward sewing session making more crooked cobblestones. They are so much fun to make. In fact I have to hide the bin with the fabric in it or I would only be making them and doing nothing else.
Is it a hawk or a falcon? Whichever it is it landed in my backyard to start having lunch. By the time I moved to the next window to get a better shot, it took off and had lunch somewhere else.
This is what the squirrels do when a hawk flies over. It is called FREEZE! They run to the nearest tree and flatten themselves against the tree and remain motionless until they sense the danger is over. See those little ears perked up to hear everything? They remained like this for over a minute after the hawk flew away. I spent some time outside digging yesterday trying to get the Rose of Sharon under control. It drops seeds and dozens of new sprouts come up. I haven't kept up with them and have about 3 years worth to dig out. I just did one small area and dug around 50 volunteers. I have a friend who will take a few but I'll have to throw the rest away. And this is just the white ones; I have the purple ones at the other end of the house.
And now for my reward. I had 2 finishes this week so I got a reward sewing session making more crooked cobblestones. They are so much fun to make. In fact I have to hide the bin with the fabric in it or I would only be making them and doing nothing else.
25 comments:
I think it's a Peregrine Falcon. I have only seen a few of these. They have been re-introduced to our area. Those squirrels are smart. I had a falcon visit my yard last summer. All the birds that had been at the feeder and birdbath gave one very loud squack in unison and took off. Then I saw the falcon land on top of the telephone pole. No dinner for him that time, but it sure made me think about the danger birds and squirrels face every single moment.
Oops. Almost forgot. Your reward looks great. Love those crooked cobblestones! I had a few minutes last night, so I made some fabric with my little scraps. That was my reward for taking an all-day class yesterday.
Yes I agree with Hetty I am pretty certain it is a Peregrine Falcon. When I use to work in downtown Toronto there were several nests of Peregrines on the high rise buildings and every now and then I would see them fly over city hall swooping down on the pigeons which were very pleantiful.
We also have hawks here in the city and their body shape is a bit different.
Aren't those squirrels amazing! It always amazes me what animals do in the wild for survival - so smart of them to blend with the tree.
Heard a big BANG against our kitchen window a few years ago--then saw a hawk swoop down into the yard. I crept up to investigate and saw the poor dove that knocked itself out against the glass and the hawk!! He also took his lunch elswhere! I LOVE your crooked cobblestones--will definitely try some soon. So pretty.
National Geographic right here! What a great thing to come across and share. Life is a constant cycle.
LOL at the squirrels - ours do that too, they can be funny to watch but yet are amazingly annoying little creatures!! You got some good shots there.
Karen
I'm fairly certain it's a Sharp-shinned hawk (an accipiter). Peregrine falcons have darker heads with a signature stripe marking. Sharp-shinned hawks like to frequent bird feeders for their meals of birds as well! Great picture.
I posted too soon, apparently it's really hard to differentiate between an immature(which this one is because of the eye color) Sharp-shinned hawk and a Cooper's hawk. A more experienced birder would have to make the call without more details...
Love the squirrel picture.
I know that they have to eat too, but I always wish that they would choose someone else's backyard buffet. I had a coopers hawk last year that flew into the potting shed in pursuit of prey and broke its neck. Seeing them up close makes one really appreciate their fierce beauty.
I am going to guess its not a Peregrine falcon but a hawk. A Peregrine is a sky hunter and would never come to the ground to eat. Not sure the type of hawk, but from the color I would guess a Goshawk.
Great sqirrel pic.
That's why we have a roof on our chicken yard. When everything gets really quiet you can be pretty sure there is a hawk somewhere nearby.
Yay for play! Looking good.
Very cool! I think it's a hawk too
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sharp-shinned_hawk/id/ac
Its a Cooper's Hawk. They visit my yard often. I have asked him not to feed at my feeders. Either we have an agreement, or he does when I am not home. As long as I don't see it, Its All Good.
Yes, a Coopers Hawk aka Chicken Hawk. We have one that preys on the areas chickens. Some mornings it is sitting in a tall dead mesquite out where we feed horses.
Love your blocks, that is an easy and fun block to make.
I always enjoy your posts with wildlife and/or plants and flowers. Those squirrels know the meaning of survival of the fittest (or the flattest).
Do you have a target size for your cobblestone blocks? Or do you just go with whatever comes out the other side of your presser foot? Such a great block to show off your batiks.
Great cobblestones. I just finished a wall hanging with them myself. FUN~
Rainbow River, with the blended binding -- absolutely stunning. Everything a quilt should be. I stand in awe.
That is cool no animals come visit me at my house.
Richard
That is cool no animals come visit me at my house.
Richard
Oh dear! Guess it is nature in action whether we want to see it or not. The squirrels reaction is interesting.
Love the reward!!!
I remember all too well how when seeds fell to the ground in Illinois, they grew. Quite a bit harder than that out here where I live. I've brought back Rose of Sharon seeds and small plants, and still have nothing to show for them--not much comfort that if they had grown, they'd have probably been blown away in our almost constant 40 MPH winds tiday!
Well, I just caught up on your week, and it's been a busy one, topped off by a falcon? That was an amazing sight!
Tell me more about the "Sparkling Stars" which are amazingly beautiful. What makes them sparkle so?
UGH, I had that happen a couple of times last year at my feeder and then he sat on my fence or in my yard ripping the prey to shreds. Yuck! LOVE your cobblestone quilts AND your rainbow river!!! What size are your cobblestone blocks. Your color sense is FABULOUS!
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