Oh, I love those shots of your hummingbird, Ceci. I have a lot of hummingbird plants but in 8 years have only once seen a hummer in my garden! (but then I am not an early riser, so that might help . . . )

As to the day length, don't forget we are 9 days away from the spring equinox, which means everyone's days are about the same length, right? So soon the people in the north will start having longer days than we get.

hummingbirds hummingbirds But sadly none here... So thank you, Melanie and Ceci, for the great photos.

There has been a juvenile Sharp-shinned hawk hanging around for quite some time, he was in the willow tree so I thought I would grab a few shots before chasing him away.


Before I had a chance to do that our young resident Red squirrel decided to go take a look at him.


He kept getting closer and closer, I was afraid that the hawk was going to grab the young fool so I went out and chased the hawk away..

Yikes, you nearly witnessed a hawk murder, Margaret!

I've got to say I think that squirrel is too dumb to last long, anyway. But at least you won't have to watch him tempt his fate next time.

(edited to add) Just looked out my window beside the computer, and there was our cat, in stalking mode within a foot of a squirrel feeding on the ground. Guess you're not the only one with young, inexperienced squirrels Margaret.

Amazing photos, Margaret - I'm glad you rescued the foolhardy squirrel!

Elaine, the squirrel replaced an older one in about late August, he was such a tiny little thing with a very skinny tail, he has since grown fat with a lovely thick coat thanks to a good food supply from the bird feeders. This winter I have seen two of them running up and down the willow tree so I am thinking it is a breeding pair seeing as that is the only time they tolerate each other.

Good grief! What a foolish squirrel. He probably would be that hawk's dinner if you hadn't saved him. Geez!

Margaret that is a very unusual incident,..well captured and good for that Squirrel that you chased the Hawk away

I wonder what was the Hawk thinking?,..what ever it was it surely must have being puzzled.

Elaine,..you have another of those living on the edge Squirrel's

Philip, I have a feeling the hawk wasn't hungry as there were several small birds in the top of the tree.

"I wonder what was the Hawk thinking?,..what ever it was it surely must have being puzzled." I wondered the same thing when I saw the photos and the way the Hawk was looking at the squirrel.

Margaret i am still shaking my head in disbelief,..the Hawk certainly looks down on the Squirrel,..puzzled,.. but the crazy Squirrel might have a sense of humor,..a bad sense,.. to pretend it was a Cat

glengarry23 said: Margaret i am still shaking my head in disbelief,..the Hawk certainly looks down on the Squirrel,..puzzled,.. but the crazy Squirrel might have a sense of humor,..a bad sense,.. to pretend it was a Cat

Probably BOTH creatures were young and exploring. Squirrels are too curious and brave at times especially when they are immature and inexperienced.

I forgot to mention that it was snowing when I took the hawk/squirrel shots so the photos weren't too sharp.

I think they're amazing. You can even see snowflakes against the dark green tree in some of them!

I'm also thinking that hawk can't have been very hungry. Just like my (lazy, fat, old) cat who surely could have caught this squirrel if she'd been at all motivated:

dyzzypyxxy said:I'm also thinking that hawk can't have been very hungry. Just like my (lazy, fat, old) cat who surely could have caught this squirrel if she'd been at all motivated:

I think squirrels like to live dangerously!

I got some urban bird watching in today. Well, suburban if you want to be technical. I saw a Cattle Egret in the drive thru at Taco Bell today. That black thing in the left side of the frame is literally the thing where you say your order.



Here's a couple more I took as I was driving in and out. Man, you can really tell I have the window up in that first pic. The pollen is thick on my car.

Great photos, Melanie - it's a very beautiful bird with its floppy crest and subtle colours