Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - taking off

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - scanning the back yard

So our little, well not so little actually, feathered friend has been visiting our yard just about daily.  Yesterday was perfect to get some good shots of him as it was a cloudy day with the sun peaking in and out.  Before he went into the tree, he was by my studio window again standing on our utility trailer - about 6 feet from the window.  So I stood there and watched him, like a hawk.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - still scanning

I got these shots from our bedroom patio.  Like last time, I just sat there watching him through the binoculars.  He is a large, gorgeous bird with beautiful markings.  He continued to scan the yard, which was full of birds.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - found something

Something caught his eye, so I decided to just keep clicking away.  Glad I did because I am really happy with how the photos turned out.  I'm no professional photographer by any means, but I think they are pretty cool!

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk - getting ready to take off!

This is my favorite of the day!  When I looked at the pictures I became REAL excited!  I just LOVE this shot.  I have another one in flight, but all you can see is tree...totally missed the hawk.  Oh and if you click on the pictures you get the larger view.

That's all for today.  Just had to share these awesome photos.  Now it's time for me to take off.

Peace,
Rocki

Hawk in our back yard - awesome!

Hawk in the back yard 1/19/13

Saturday afternoon we had a pleasant surprise in our back yard. The hawk that visited us a few weeks ago returned!  He was perched on our back wall, about 20' from our bedroom patio, scanning the yard that WAS full of our regular feathered friends.  I was SOOOO ecstactic that I yelled for Mark to come see and forgot to grab my camera - which I thought was charging.




Close-up view of the pic above

So there we were, me on the floor at the arcadia door with my binoculars and Mark standing beside me.  We just kept watching him as he continued to scan the yard and look for, sadly, little mammals or unsuspecting birds - which obviously knew he arrived as they were all in hiding. 

I can't tell you how freakin' exciting this was - better than last time!  I didn't want to stop watching him, but decided to head into the other room to grab my camera real quick.  Well, he then flew into our neighbor's large tree that is right by our back wall.  This was fine because I was able to get better pics than last time.




"I see you Rocki!"

I went out back and got as close as I could...he did NOT budge!  He was rather large, around 2 foot tall is my guess.  He turned his head around and just looked at me as if to say "you know, I love squirrels too."  It was beyond amazing.  The adrenalin was shooting through me like coffee in Mark's veins!




Beautiful bird!

Then I got to thinking about the kids...our dogs.  For those who do not know, we have 3 little ones and I'm not sure if they would be too big or not for the hawk to take off with.  Yogi probably not, but Maelyn and Sasha possibly.  So, there was scary thoughts mingling with the excitement.  I would be absolutely mortified if that happened - or seeing any other animal in his talons.  But, I understand that's what he eats.  Still scary.




Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk?

I stayed out there until he flew away, then immediately grabbed my bird book.  After pouring through the book and the internet, I've concluded that he's either a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk.  It's really hard to tell because they are so closely matched, but I believe he was a Cooper's Hawk. 

 

Hawk at studio window - 1/3/13

Okay, pardon these last two pics, but these were taken with my cell phone from inside my studio and through a sunscreen.  I have feeders out there and love watching the birds while I work.  Anyway, that day something caught my eye so I looked up.  There was a hawk!  I practically squealed with excitement!  Wait.  Scratch that.  I in fact DID squeal!  Our neighbors probably thought I was bleeding to death or just won the lottery.




This was an awesome site!

Honestly, I was fumbling with my phone like hot potato as I was afraid that he would be gone before I got the camera up.  It finally came on then... click click click click!  I even got a short video of him sitting there and then flying away, but it won't upload.  I was bummed that the pics came out so crappy, but at least I got a little proof of our new visitor. 

I called Mark afterwards and...okay... squealed like a little girl while telling him of what just happened.  (I didn't know my voice went up that high)  He thought it was pretty cool, but since he got to see him up close and in person this time, he was pretty excited too.  Well, he didn't squeal though.  Oh, and I'm not sure if it was the same hawk because the one in the back yard seemed much larger.

Every day we have a huge variety of birds that visit all of our feeders, so I'm always looking outside.  However, now I'm looking out there even more - like a kid on Christmas eve waiting to see Santa!  I just hope that I don't ever see him with a little one and flying off with it.

I also hope he doesn't like squirrels.

Peace,
Rocki

Gila Woodpecker - A Bird Day

Today we are enjoying cooler weather and rain.  Our bird friends are also enjoying it, especially the male Gila Woodpecker.

 

As usual in the animal kingdom, the male is prettier than the female and this guy sports a bright red cap.  I just love the overall look of this bird!

The back yard is full with a variety of morning doves, sparrows, finches, towhee's, quails, grackles and humming birds.  But I couldn't seem to take my eyes off of Woody, neither could the little ones waiting for their turn at the food block.

I'm guessing that the little ones finally told Woody to quit being a hog and move on.

"I thought he would NEVER leave!"

Hope everyone is enjoying their day!

Peace, Rocki

Quail Diner - Reservations Not Required

Table for two please

This year we have even more Gambel's Quail families than all the years before.  I'm guessing it is because there is more food, since I added several bird feeders, baths and drinking stations throughout the yard.  Mark lovingly calls our backyard "Rocki's Resort" because of the variety of birds that visit - sometimes it's like an all you can eat buffet that went wild.

Dad, baby and mom looking for an open table

 Most of the pictures I take are from inside the house and through sunscreens, so please pardon the unprofessional look of them.  The one above is from my dining room window, which is my favorite spot to watch all the birds, especially the quail as they are my favorite!
  

The babies are learning to eat on their own

Watching the baby quail and other birds grow has been the most exciting part of my summer.  Okay, there's more excitement than that going on, but I seriously enjoy watching and identifying birds.

So how do you think he got up there?

The topknot on their heads are starting to show and they look SO cute!  I just want to pick them up and cuddle them! 



Mom and babies hiding from the rain

We have the Gambel's Quail throughout our state and it isn't uncommon to see them in neighboring front or backyards.  But every time I see these adorable birds, it's like the first time!  They, along with the other birds, simply make me smile and enjoy my little sanctuary - my Rocki's Resort.

Happy Birding!
Peace,
Rocki