They're everywhere. Birds. They've taken over the backyard. Cooper's Hawk is King pin of them all. He sits on the cherry tree, or the fence. He looks like a stuffed toy. Only with talons and a hooked beak. He flies silent. Bird of prey.
If you have bird seed out, you will have Cooper's Hawks . They love the birds. And the seeds.
Spencer likes the birds as well. But not the hawk.
A young red wing Black bird has also taken up residence in the seed pan this year. He's absolutely beautiful. he is young and kind of wobbly. Like a weeble. The toy that weebles when it wobbles.
And the Steller Jays continue to steal peanuts. Show off.
Red finches are back. They don't seem to have the viral infection from last year.....the one that causes them to go blind. At least , I haven't noticed it. Very sociable little things. Very brave.
Spencer has noticed the Steller Jays. He sits on the porch and twitches his tail.
As the jays continue to stuff themselves silly. All they do is eat. And complain.
Cooper's hawk always seems to find a meal. He swings in low, silently, and nabs his prey from behind a fence or a tree. It's quick and sudden. I love watching them hunt. So clever.
While the jays continue to eat and eat and eat. And complain.
The hawk pulls off the feathers first. It's really cool watching it eat. Very neat.
As the jays preen and prattle to each other. Then eat some more. Stuff. Stuff. Stuff.
Eventually the hawk yanks the flesh apart. Bird carcass everywhere.
Feathers fluffing in the wind.
Cordelia keeps her perch from the other side of the fence. Safe there.
As the Steller Jays gorge on seeds and argue about who stole the best peanut.
The Hawk is done eating. And stares. At me. For a while . Before heading back to the pines.
The finches come back out. Delegated to one pot of seeds.
While the Jays squabble over the rest.
And Spencer licks his lips in anticipation.
Smokey watches from a distance. The Jays are too big for him to chase.
The finches and chickadees attract other cats in the neighbourhood.
Goldy sits behind the potted tree and doesn't move.
But the finch moves. His bright colouring will one day attract a mate in the spring.
Towhee moves in, as the jays move out of the other seed pan. For a time.
Then they're back. Arguing. Shrieking like little old ladies. Stealing seeds. The perfect family unit.
And Spencer plops himself down on the Christmas sweater , drying out in the early afternoon sun. Waiting for the jays to quiet down. So he can nap.
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