While sitting outside this past Wednesday, I was treated to an unexpected visitor. The day was warm, about 73 and the sun was shining. I had just sat down to take a break from cleaning out my perennial flower bed. Four Mourning doves were under my feeders.
All of a sudden, coming from my back left, in swoops a Cooper's Hawk, possibly an adult female. She crashed into a dove! Feathers went flying! She missed sinking in her talons. Tail feathers, upper tail coverts and some downy feathers littered the ground.
She landed on top of the stockade fence near the left end. You can see her in this image. She was looking into my neighbors yard where he has bird feeders out.
As it sat there, I quickly thought about getting my big camera. I realized that she would not sit there for that. So I thought I would try an image with my cell. (Try to see a screen in bright sun!!)
I zoomed to 5 and hoped I got something.
She sat for about a minute total and I snapped an image as she flew. I did get her in the frame, in flight. Look off towards the right edge. You can see her in line with a tree!
Now she is a bird eater with doves, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Common grackles her prey. But I always get excited to see one, especially one doing just what it is supposed to do. I feel fortunate to have been there just to see it.
Not orchids I know but thrilling none the less.
