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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday - Meet Jane


A few weeks ago "Jane" showed up in the front yard looking for a snack from around the bird feeding stations that I've set up to try to attract some different birds for the winter. I was thrilled to see a hawk so close up--especially those piercing eyes. But it was the "leggings" that cracked me up and earned this one the name of "Jane". Remember Jane Fonda and her workout leggings in all those exercise videos? Feel the burn!



 
And then yesterday I heard this terrible racket in the backyard and, after looking and looking, spotted "Jane" in the tiptop branches of a tree.  She obligingly stayed around long enough for me to get this not so great photo.
 
 
Identifying "Jane" has been a puzzle.  According to my Kentucky bird books, we're supposed to have sharp-shinned, red-shouldered, red-tailed, and cooper's hawks.  I've studied the pics of each and none fit "Jane" exactly.  Either missing the "leggings", tail shaped differently with different color bars.  My best guess is sharp-shinned, but a couple of Facebook birders say she might be a juvenile goshawk migrating or a rough-legged.  Whatever!  I'm thrilled that she stops by.

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

10 comments:

theconstantwalker said...

A stunning bird to see so close...

Jo's World said...

Jane is most beautiful although I am puzzled as you are re what she is. I always thought furry legged hawks came from cold climates, but who knows. I can't find my bird book right now so can't even look it up!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Brian King said...

Man, I'm jealous! I rarely see hawks, much less have one in the backyard. Fantastic shots!

Dave said...

Lovely sighting Faye, I get a hawk in my garden and it still gives me a thrill every time I see it

Jan n Jer said...

Great pics...hope those fuzzy leggings doesn't mean an early cold winter!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Wow - great photos - I have a hard time too, with some of the hawks.

Lynn said...

they look like bell bottoms too, and this is such a gorgeous bird, you've taken great photos. Your story of the 3rd Graders in your about me and the library has me laughing outloud.You write a great blog.

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous bird! You got some awesome shots of it.

Stewart M said...

Hi there - welcome back. Hope your family concerns are sorted.

Hawks off all sorts can be a challenge to identify! So, you are not alone in being confused!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

eileeninmd said...

Wow Faye, cool shots of the Hawk!