Another hawk visitor

This is a stock photo copied from the internet

 

We were surprised to open the blinds this morning and see what we decided is a red shouldered hawk. Really big.  It was drinking water.  Impressive to see it take off from the ground that fast and not get tangled in a tree.

Between hawks and snakes, this has been an odd year. 

I am thinking of the folks on the east coast and of course the Houston area.  They had so much rain (50")  that things are still flooded in some areas.  Not just the big city, the island of Galveston.  I imagine they weren't flooded as badly as cities around Houston.

I checked and the sea wall was not breached. So that may be the reason they have not been the news.

With all the flooding, critters are in the city that normally stay in bayous.  Scary.  Wouldn't want to be attempting to clean up the damage and run into a snake or alligator.

Now, if only it would cool down again.  Too hot to do much in the yard.

Bird bath visitor

My flea market find.  A metal bird bath that had odd holes in the bottom.  So, for the time being I came up with the idea of a clear plastic flower pot holder.  The birds did not like the clear plastic thing at first.  I waited about a week  with no takers of the water.  I added the gravel and about a week later, a dove checked it out and even stood in the water.  Other doves came back and shortly there after. the little birds checked it out.  Now we can watch birds splashing and dipping and drinking every day.

A little glitch in the little birds using the water bath.  Hubby called me into the kitchen to see this hawk.  The camera was on the table by the window and I quickly got a few shots of the visitor.
Our neighbors have racing pigeons. They are prey for this hawk and others.  Never had one this bold in our yard before.  Have had a Red Tailed and a Cooper's, but not so close to the house.

Be sure to click any picture for a larger view.

Cooper's Hawk

In searching, I thought this was a juvenile Cooper's Hawk.  Then, checked Broad Wing hawk.

Sharp-shinned is described as jay size. This bird is as large as a crow.
Ornithologists admit it is difficult to choose between the Cooper's and the Sharp-shinned from a distance.

He was aware of something in the window moving about, but bold enough to take a drink before hubby had stepped out on to the patio and clapped.

Female cardinal finally checking out new addition

Chickadee 

Watching for hawk

Migrating finches? Cannot identify.