Wildlife Notes
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Hawks
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By Chuck Fergus -
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When the night sky brightens in the east, owls retire to hollow trees and shady thickets. Then enter the hawks; during the day, these fascinating birds continue nature's winnowing process -- predation.
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This wildlife note covers 11 Pennsylvania hawks: the northern goshawk, sharp-shinned, Cooper's, red-tailed, red-shouldered, broad-winged and rough-legged hawks, northern harrier, peregrine falcon, merlin and American kestrel.
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Pennsylvania Game Commission
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http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=150468
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Acclaim Images - Pictures Of Hawks
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About.Com: Wild Bird Photos - Hawks
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I noticed new residents flying around my neighborhood this summer. A pair of hawks. I'm not certain what kind they are yet, but I think they might be Broad-Winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus). One really likes bathing in my backyard fountain. I have never had the opportunity to see one so up close, and they are impressive. ( And good size ) My birds that I naturally have around my yard are not at all happy about it either.
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I have a Cardinal in particular that wanted to argue with the hawk while he was in my fountain today. He peeped at it - a little too close - for over an hour. The hawk did not overlook him either. The cardinal flew to a branch of a pine tree that I have by my window, and he was making quite a racket.
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I turned it over to the Lord to hear his complaints. The next thing I knew - I looked out my window (I was doing a bit of laundry) - and there was this good size hawk eyeing up this little guy. I opened up my door and slammed it twice when I saw the hawk go to an upper branch to try to get at this argumentative Cardinal - who I believe was indeed in a pickle.
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I think he has his mate nearby, but I'm not certain. I think I saw her earlier this week. I don't know if one of the hawks got her so that might be why the little guy is so angry looking and determined, or that he was trying to sacrifice himself in order to save his mate by drawing the hawk away from her. Or he just might have more heart than sense. I don't think he is acting right - by not hiding in the brush instead of being so out in the open.
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Needless to say my slamming the door chased the hawk and the Cardinal away from each other, and the Lord saved this brave soul - at least today.
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I prayed that the Lord will keep a real close eye on this Cardinal, because I think he has more heart than sense. (It just occurred to maybe give him a name. I named him Benedict - Bennie for short.)
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I've seen him too much out in the open looking for the hawks. (He was certainly doing that today. ) I've been worried about him for a bit now.
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I have to admit I am proud of this brave soul trying to take on this huge marauder!