I was just settling in to play zoom bridge with friends on Sunday when I saw big wings flap across the yard and about 50 little finch flee the scene. I knew it was going to be a hawk, but I didn't know it was going to land on the platform feeder just outside the living room window.
Whatta sight. Beautiful bird, so intense, so lethal.
I had time to snap a series of photos before it flew off looking for a snack somewhere else.
My first thought was that this a Sharp Shinned Hawk, but then I talked myself into it being a Cooper's Hawk. I posted photos on Facebook and asked for ID help and got a variety of responses until I was advised to post it in a group called Raptor ID.
Those Raptor ID folks know their hawks and positively identified this as an immature Sharp Shinned Hawk.
I was excited to have enough time to snap off a series of photographs. My bridge friends had to be patient, I wasn't going to stop shooting until the hawk flew off.
One of the Raptor ID folks mentioned the toothpick like legs as another confirmation that this is a Sharp Shinned Hawk.
It's not like I want hawks looking for lunch at my bird feeders, but it was a thrill to see this one so close up and I'm grateful for the moment.
All of the birds flew off when this hawk flew in, except 2 woodpeckers who froze and were like little statues hanging on their suet log. They remained motionless for several minutes after the hawk left.
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| Downy Woodpecker |
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| Hairy Woodpecker |
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