A hawking good tail

We've lots of hawks around. 

Juvenile sharp-shinned, I've been told. 

This one was eyeing #75's nest box. 

These three photos are from a company who goes around to festivals and fairs. Very educational.

kestrel

red-tailed hawk

This was from Bala, when we lived there.

This hawk hit the window in 2018. I am sure it was chasing a bird. 

hawk 2 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

rough-legged hawk from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This broad-winged hawk came in a pair in summer. It hung around for a couple of days. 

It was screeching something in hawk-speak: 

 Why are these men on the roof? That was an adventure. They brought a hawk to scare away the gulls while they harvested the gull eggs to limit the gull population.

We had a hawk visit the feeder this week. I am giving up identifying hawks. Sharp-shinned, red-tailed, Cooper's,  or kestrel. We have a kestrel in the area. Birders with much more expertise have seen it around. I won't lead anyone astray! It was small, not as chubby as the mourning doves. 

It cleared the feeder. They slowly came back, first the chickadees. It was still sitting on the branch in the tree. I went out and it flew off at great speed. 

For more critters: Saturday's Critters # 637 visit Eileen!

Hooper, Ronnie Hawkins, Paris!

It started off a normal day. Hangry, then sleepy cats... This boy can sleep!

I'm still wrestling with some health stuff, thank you for your kind words. I cooked up some fajitas with our leftover steak. They were messy but good. Hubby, ever the shopper, brought home some roses and rented me a movie, as he's been addicted to tennis! 

I did Facetime with my son in Vancouver (-3 hour time difference), just home from two-weeks capling with his family. And Facetime with my daughter when they were in Singapore (6+ hours time difference). It's tricky!!! It's wonderful to talk to them. 

The day started out quietly, which is just the way I like it. I've been checking the goldfish pond, as I've spotted a garter snake. I watched it all day, and it doesn't seem inclined to go IN the water. The 23 froggies seem OK for now. More on snakey tomorrow!

Out in the backyard I heard the goldfinches raising a ruckus. Here is why! Bob'll-know, of Gilligalou, tells me it's a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. That's what JB calls him. Bob always knows his birds!

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 it would appear to be a classic example of a juvenile Coopers Hawk. Mostly because of the chest streaks which fade away towards the belly, the tail feather appear to be fan like or gradual in length?, hard to see? Also if you look at the side of the head/neck , it has the tawny wash look, the sharpe shin would be brownish flowing into the shoulder as the same colour. :), thanks for sharing

The photos were tricky, with the dark background. The videocamera seemed to do a better job with the colour. Anyway, it is evidence!


It sat there for a long time. I have a full minute of video, but it took too long to load and I don't want to bore you! It moved to a second tree, then leapt into the air, flew overhead twice, and took off for the day.
Ronnie is back from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

And the kids...

They are taking a 5-week trip, on reward points. I'm having a blast curating photos for the book I'm making for them. Old dog, newish tricks. You know, in the old days we'd create photo albums, but that is time consuming for a busy family. They are all taking turns on their blog, posting thoughts and commentaries and videos. It's fun seeing them in action. I've organized the photos electronically, then upload them into a photobook. It's creative and fun and I enjoy it.

I will go back in time. This is such an iconic sight, or site! 

Muskrat, Hawk, and Deer selfies videos

Depending upon where you are, our critters are emerging. Our muskrats haven't been seen on the pond, yet. I did amble down Thursday and spotted 4 ducks. Too far away to tell, as they took off, but they look like wood ducks!

I was coming home from my client's house when I spotted a Muskrat crossing the road, in March in Smiths Falls.


Muskrat on the move from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Our muskrats are still frozen under the frog pond ice. The south-facing forest hugs the sun's warmth to the land. Slowly, the snow is melting. All I can see of the Muskrat push-ups are top most parts where ice has melted.

I believe it caused a Blue Jay and Grouse to smash into the window last fall, as well as the death of our little Saw-whet owl.

Hawk at the feeder from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Out our living room window, I spotted a predator! Experts tell me it is a Juvenile Cooper's Hawk.



Deer selfie #1 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
No matter where I put it, Bambi insists on doing selfies!


Deer selfie from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Setting up the Trailcam at the 'frog pond', I was hoping to see if
a) the Muskrats were awake, and
b) if the Wood ducks had returned.
We put up a Wood duck box last year and they raised 4 ducks. Instead, Bambi decided she wanted to make a selfie. She's so vain! Happily there are a pair of wood ducks, although Bambi tries to get her face in!

Smiths Falls Muskrat, right beside the highway.