As I said earlier, the Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies are here all the time. They spend their day buzzing the pond as if it were a bombing zone. I'm not sure what they're doing, but come spring I'll be watching again to see if I can figure out what it is they're up to.
I think this is actually a different one than in the last photo but they all look the same to me.
Our Newest Little Friend
Quigley, yup, that's what I named him cause he lives "down under" the waterfall most of the day. This little rascal even comes into the house now to get his peanuts. I throw a few out by the waterfall and he comes out of his den under the Juniper bushes to collect them and take them back for winter. We spent the better part of three months feeding him peanuts and I don't think I saw him eat three of them.
He's at the point now that he even comes to the house when I call for him. He's a lot of fun to play with as now he's taking the peanuts right out of our hands. I think maybe he believes it's his place now, and he's entitles to them.
Quigley
Like I said, he'll even come in the house (if you let him) and look for peanuts. Here he is at the back doors off the deck looking in like he's lost his best friend. He even sits up as high as he can and tries to peek in the glass.
As usual, I can't resist the little guy and always fork over a handful of peanuts. He likes the peanuts that are still in the shell best of all.
Yup, Quigley, Again
Here he is, sitting in one of his favorite spots on the waterfall. When I throw the peanuts, they usually land in one of the many crevasses on the waterfall and I think he just enjoys looking around for them. He'll sit out there sunning himself on the rocks for hours until our latest visitor (a Hawk) shows up for a meal.
So far so good, and Quigley hasn't become a meal for this visitor, and I hope he doesn't either.
Cooper's Hawk
Here's a shot of our friend the Hawk. At first we thought it might have been a Red Tail Hawk but after looking through my bird book I believe it's a young Cooper's Hawk. He's about 16 inches tall and sometimes comes and sits in the Cedar tree just outside out kitchen window. Sorry for the poor photo quality here but I had to take the shot through the kitchen window.
Sitting here, he can spy on the Doves that come to feed at the feeder near the window. Unfortunately for the Doves, in the next photo you can see how dangerous feeding can be.
Lunch for the Hunter
I suppose it's just Mother Nature's way of making sure that it's the survival of the fittest, but it's still a little sad to see one of the Doves go in such a way. The Hawk spent a lot of time in the tree waiting for a few of them to land on the deck before making his move. I guess he figures if he waits for a bunch to land, his chances are much better. He was right!
Is it really any wonder why this beautiful creature can catch his food so easily?
I'm sure glad Quigley's asleep under the snow right now. With talons like these there's not much that'll escape, I'm sure.
As I said earlier, the Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies are here all the time. They spend their day buzzing the pond as if it were a bombing zone. I'm not sure what they're doing, but come spring I'll be watching again to see if I can figure out what it is they're up to.
Quigley, yup, that's what I named him cause he lives "down under" the waterfall most of the day. This little rascal even comes into the house now to get his peanuts. I throw a few out by the waterfall and he comes out of his den under the Juniper bushes to collect them and take them back for winter. We spent the better part of three months feeding him peanuts and I don't think I saw him eat three of them.
Like I said, he'll even come in the house (if you let him) and look for peanuts. Here he is at the back doors off the deck looking in like he's lost his best friend. He even sits up as high as he can and tries to peek in the glass.
Here he is, sitting in one of his favorite spots on the waterfall. When I throw the peanuts, they usually land in one of the many crevasses on the waterfall and I think he just enjoys looking around for them. He'll sit out there sunning himself on the rocks for hours until our latest visitor (a Hawk) shows up for a meal.
Here's a shot of our friend the Hawk. At first we thought it might have been a Red Tail Hawk but after looking through my bird book I believe it's a young Cooper's Hawk. He's about 16 inches tall and sometimes comes and sits in the Cedar tree just outside out kitchen window. Sorry for the poor photo quality here but I had to take the shot through the kitchen window.
I suppose it's just Mother Nature's way of making sure that it's the survival of the fittest, but it's still a little sad to see one of the Doves go in such a way. The Hawk spent a lot of time in the tree waiting for a few of them to land on the deck before making his move. I guess he figures if he waits for a bunch to land, his chances are much better. He was right!
Is it really any wonder why this beautiful creature can catch his food so easily?