This morning at about 6:45am some loud chipping was heard outside my bedroom window. It didn't quite sound like a cardinal who would normally be outside the window at this time. Bill rolled over in bed and asked, "downy woodpecker?". "Not quite," I whispered. Finally I rose from bed and looked out to see a very agitated white throated sparrow. These guys normally feed on the ground and he was eyeing my second story feeder and chipping like crazy. I sensed he wanted to come in but the two thugs (pigeons) sitting on the ledge proved to be a deterrent and he flitted elsewhere.
Disapproval
The flying squirrel out my window is staring me. I put food out for it, but the tappity tappity of the iMac keyboard has his attention. I'm trying to pretend that I don't notice the little buggy eyed squirrel is watching me, but I don't think I'm acting naturally. They have the same disapproving looks my rabbits give me. Speaking of which, there have been questions about the disapproving rabbits page. Rabbits disapprove of everything. Except eating. Here is my Hazel:
Rabbits have unbelieveably high standards, practically impossible for most mere mortals to live up to. No matter how many people tell me they enjoy the bird store or a tour I've led or a segment I did, little do they know my private hell. Bunnies never approve of me. And yet, like an Iron Chef I push myself to be better and to just do my best.
Poor Hazel has lots to disapprove of today. She had a vet appointment this morning and will be on antibiotics for the next two weeks. She has lodged several written complaints and I fear I will be up before the household review committee soon.
Do Hawks Make Good Pets
This photo from Amber Burnette answers the question, do hawks make good pets:
I have my first junco roaming the neighborhood. He appears to be alone and keeps inspecting people's front porches.
More banding photos
Here are a couple more photos from hawk banding on Sunday. These are both sharp shinned hawks, one immature and one adult.
Here is one of the merlins we banded. He's just a fierce little killing machine!
Hawk Trapping
Fall is the most wonderful time of the year. I spent a good portion of the weekend banding hawks. I arrived Saturday night after work and checked into the Inn on the Gitch Gumee in Duluth. The light from the moon danced on Lake Superior and overhead you could hear peeps of migrating songbirds.
Sunday was terrific for banding, our little station netted 40 hawks including sharp-shinned, Cooper's and merlins. It was an action-packed day as sharp-shins were everywhere in the sky and sometimes we would focus on one hawk and not realize until too late that another hawk had spied the bait and landed in the net. One of the highlights was a first year peregrine falcon that sped into the field and made about eight passes in front of the blind trying to get the bait pigeon. The falcon was too smart for the nets and evetually left to find food elsewhere.
One of the things I love most about hawk trapping is getting to watch the hunting techniques of various raptors. You spot these hawks in the sky miles off in the distance and watch as they catch sight of the bait pigeon and eventually hone in and come for the kill. You see the moment when the hawk sets its wings and goes from being a speck to life size and in your hand.
Here is a photo of an adult male Cooper's hawk that we banded.
Roller Boogie
We're having a going away party for our friend Dale. We're having a bad movie party and watching Roller Boogie...I really wish we were watching Xanadu.
New Suet
I just got in some new fancy suet from Oregon, it smells great. It's a tad expensive, but gourmet and the guy who makes it guarantees that it will sell or he will buy it back.