Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bird of Prey, Literally


This post is certainly not for the cuddly Precious Moments kind of nature lover.

Yesterday, this Cooper's Hawk and I had lunch together, in a manner of speaking. I was lunching at the picnic tables outside the library when he flew in. As he is about to have lunch and I was having lunch, I'll count it as dining together. The colors are muted so you may not notice at first that he has another smaller bird in his talons. I believe it's a Mourning Dove, though it's a little difficult to see. Apparently, Cooper's Hawks are very fond of Mourning Dove and will even take them out of their nests on occasion. Then, they just squeeze them a bit until they're uhm... dead. Sometimes, they've been known to hold prey under water until the prey drowns. The Cooper's Hawk is nothing if not efficient.


Don't you all wish you had this kind of lunch time excitement?

16 comments:

  1. Wow, now that is some dinner conversation!!! -Lu

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  2. Wow! I will have to try your hot new lunch spot!

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  3. Lu, I know. Not really sweet and fluffy is it?

    Blondcat, I can imagine many people wouldn't be as excited as I was.

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  4. New lens is spectacular. Nice shot.

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  5. That new lens is pretty awesome and that is some story!

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  6. That is a really great picture. What fun things happen to you on your lunch break!

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  7. Fin, thanks. I do like that new lens.

    fragilewisdom, I do like the new lens. Of course, now I want something with super duper sharp telephoto and focus.

    Anon, thanks.

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  8. Very nice pic. Looking at the tail feathers I would tend to agree that it is probably a mourning dove.

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  9. Wow! The things you see at the library..Inside and out!! lol

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  10. Ooh great shot- What lens did you get?

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  11. Margaret, so true. Miss seeing you at the library.

    Wiz, I just got a new lens that basically replaced both the kit lens that came with my camera and the zoom lens I had. Now, no switching back and forth, which is much better!

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  12. Chiang Guy, thanks. I'm glad of your expert opinion.

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  13. Nice Shot. I hope you don't mind if I follow your journal.

    Cheers,
    Bobby

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  14. Bobby, thanks. Does any blogger mind being followed? ;) I don't know, maybe they do but personally, I love to be followed.

    I'm glad you came by.

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  15. Oh, interesting! Bill and I saw an Eagle's nest yesterday and today I'd like to go back to see if anyone lives there.

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