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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, May 1, 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday - Hawks in the 'Burbs



Last January I was just pulling in the driveway when these two beauties lit in a tree in my suburban backyard.  They very obligingly stayed around long enough for me to run inside to grab a camera.  So exciting--first hawks I've seen this close to home and first photos of them.  Wasn't sure whether they were sharp shinned or Cooper's, but thought sharpies based on the squared off tails.  A birder friend confirmed that ID.  Are we right?

Here are a couple more views:




And then a little serendipity--I'm always on the lookout for feathers when out walking and have found some interesting ones.  But nothing to compare with this big hawk feather that I spotted in the front yard not long after getting these photos of the real thing.


Again, I'm not sure if this feather belonged to a sharpie or Cooper--what do you think?

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday .

9 comments:

Brian King said...

I'm not sure about the ID, but I'm jealous of your sighting! I'd love to have hawks that close!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, cool seeing the two hawks together. I am not sure, I have to go by their size and the legs. Great shots!

TexWisGirl said...

i think they're red-shoulders. :)

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh they are wonderful - I've rarely had a hawk sit still long enough for photos - let along to run and get a camera. Fabulous shots!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

They're very handsome birds!

mick said...

Great photos of the Hawks. They are especially beautiful against the blue sky.

mick said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog too. Your world looks rather different from mine - but just as beautiful!

Living Life said...

How lucky to get those shots! And you got a souvenir to boot!

Nature in the Burbs said...

These are great shots!