A New Visitor

This morning, Wednesday, started out pretty normal. I was up before the sun, checked my email, stumbled around the backyard with a coffee can full of bird seed and then settled down at the dining table to gaze out the window. My favorite time of day. As the sun finally peeked over the Grand Mesa I note there must be over 100 birds in the yard. The numbers have increased since I started spreading the seed around the yard in place of just putting seed in the feeder.

This morning I spied 4 Eurasian Doves. These guys are about 1/3 larger than the who-who birdies (mourning doves) and much lighter in color. A handsome bird. They, like many creatures in the U.S. today are not native. They were introduced to the Bahama's in the 1980's, populated Florida by the 1990's and are quickly spreading across the country.

I sat at the table alternating between coffee, my mystery novel and watching the circus in the yard. I was on the novel part of my rotation when I heard the birds flapping their wings. An unusual sound because of the noise... they were all exiting the yard at the same time. In a hurry it appeared. I looked up to see a Harrier Hawk zoom past the bird feeder just missing a finch or sparrow. The hawk continued on to the Mulberry Tree. I thought sure he had captured breakfast as I saw some feathers falling to the ground behind the tree. Apparently the feathers were from some bird crawling into the tree for safety because the hawk appeared shortly thereafter with nothing to show for all the panic that announced his arrival.

These hawks and I guess raptor's in general are amazing birds to watch. When I look at them they always look alert. Appear strong and vibrant. Somehow radiate a majestic, lofty demeanor. I always feel honored to be able to watch these birds. Too rare a treat for this 'ol guy.

I tried to get a picture but when he was close enough for a photo the window screen was in the way and by the time I was able to move he had moved to sit atop one of the bird houses. I got a couple of pictures of him there but they only look like a silhouette.

It seems to me the raptor's come by in the early spring and, more often, in the fall. We rarely see them around our yard during the hot summer days. As the fall season pushes summer away I expect more visits from the raptor family... hope so anyway.