Back Here in Tucson-A Cooper’s Hawk!

 Cooper’s Hawk in my yard September 14, 2012

Yesterday morning it was so nice here that I threw the windows open wide while I made my breakfast downstairs. As I was standing at the kitchen counter I suddenly heard the loud explosion of bird wings. I knew immediately what it was and rushed to the window with my binoculars in hand. Sure enough, there on the block wall perched a juvenile cooper’s hawk. I could tell it was a juvenile by the dark vertical streaks on its breast instead of the typical adult horizontal rusty barring.

With a thumping heart I raced upstairs and grabbed my camera. I quietly opened the door onto the balcony and crept toward to railing, snapping photos as I went. surprisingly, the bird did not immediately bolt. Instead, it stayed where it was, looking below to where it had seen so many doves a few moments again. It looked completely baffled as to where they had gone. The result was that I was able to snap off a few decent shots before it took wing again and was gone.

 

 

Thanks for the visit young Cooper’s. I’m kind of glad you didn’t eat any of my doves, but could you please gobble up a few pigeons? Thanks!

This is why I cannot put a bird feeder out!

The unpacking progresses and I’ve almost got order restored to the house. In-between I have been able to have a bit of fun. I went birding last Sunday with Chris of Las Adventuras. Yesterday my son and I went for a short hike in Saguaro national Park,and in the afternoon I went and had tea with my friend Celeste. I have more birding adventures already planned for this weekend and during the next week. meanwhile I am trying to get caught up on all my blogging. Look for a blog post a day if I can pull it off! I certainly have the photos and stories to go with it! I will get back to our cross-country travels soon and then the new life and day to day adventures begin! Thank you all who visit my blog and read my posts. I really do appreciate it. For my family and friends, I miss you so. For all my new friends, I can’t wait to meet you!

By the way, this Cooper’s Hawk is species number 21 for my backyard. The day before I was totally surprised to find a Green-tailed Towhee in my backyard underneath the oleander bushes but when I slid the door open to snap a picture it flew off! I have also seen a Say’s Phoebe on two occasions now!