Unfortunately, the adult Coopers Hawk I saw up close was deceased. I looked out to the side yard and saw him crumpled up and humbled. It didn't appear that he had any physical injuries, although a MO-Birder has suggested that he could have had a broken neck due to a collision. Another suggestion was West Nile Virus. I'll never know, but it was sad to see such a beautiful bird grounded. I won't post the pictures here, but they can be viewed at my SmugMug album.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Apartment Ups and Downs
I've been thinking about apartment life and realized there's not much I will miss. The best I can say is that it was great to have free maintenance on hand. Bathtub clogged with hair? Sink backs up? Just call and they will take care of it ASAP. Raccoon nearly busts through your closet ceiling? (Yes, that actually happened one night.) Nothing for me to worry about. I suppose the pool was a nice perk. I was there quite a bit last summer. Other than that, I am only grateful that I was able to find a decent place to live until I was able to become a homeowner once again.
I can list quite a few things that weren't to my liking, but the number one problem, at least with my unit, was the STAIRS! 35 steps up from the parking lot to my front door. And 52 paces total including the landings between stairs. And once inside the apartment, another 15 steps up to the bedroom.
Looking Down
Looking Up
On a day to day basis, it wasn't so bad. But you quickly learned that a trip to the grocery store meant buying ONLY what you needed at the time. You do anything to minimize trips up and down the steps lugging bags and packages that weigh you down.
A small ranch home is sounding better all the time.
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I can list quite a few things that weren't to my liking, but the number one problem, at least with my unit, was the STAIRS! 35 steps up from the parking lot to my front door. And 52 paces total including the landings between stairs. And once inside the apartment, another 15 steps up to the bedroom.
Looking Down
Looking UpOn a day to day basis, it wasn't so bad. But you quickly learned that a trip to the grocery store meant buying ONLY what you needed at the time. You do anything to minimize trips up and down the steps lugging bags and packages that weigh you down.
A small ranch home is sounding better all the time.
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Chipmunk
The birds found the feeders, and of course the squirrels, but how in the world did this little chipmunk know that there was food three stories up?
He found the suet cake and returned over and over to gorge himself. I wonder what the capacity of those cheeks is.
Evidently, he thinks it's quite a lot. Here he is trying to take off with the entire suet cake, but just couldn't handle it.
On another note, in anticipation of the move I've been collecting boxes. Although I do not look forward to packing once again:( But anyway, Lucy has to check out each and every one of them. If she's not careful, she'll move to the new house in the moving van instead of my car in her carrier.
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He found the suet cake and returned over and over to gorge himself. I wonder what the capacity of those cheeks is.
Evidently, he thinks it's quite a lot. Here he is trying to take off with the entire suet cake, but just couldn't handle it.
On another note, in anticipation of the move I've been collecting boxes. Although I do not look forward to packing once again:( But anyway, Lucy has to check out each and every one of them. If she's not careful, she'll move to the new house in the moving van instead of my car in her carrier.
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Thursday, June 4, 2009
Could this be #32 on the apartment list?
After work tonight, I looked out and saw this Hawk sitting on the antenna atop the office building. That antenna really does attract a lot of birds! But of course, it is extremely difficult to get a clear view at that distance with my bins and camera. Based on the field marks I saw, I am almost certain this is a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. [Feel free to offer an opinion if you disagree!]
I wish the hawk would have turned to give me a view from a different angle, specifically a look at its tail, but it wasn't going to happen. The only movement I saw in half an hour was when an American Crow swooped at him, causing him to ruffle his feathers.
The feeder birds were tenuous about being in the open with a predator hanging around, but after he continued to maintain his position, they dared to venture over for a bite to eat. This Common Grackle must have a mate and babies on a nest. He came over time and time again to fill his beak with sunflower hearts and fly off with them.
I had business to tend to and left with the RT Hawk still on his perch. An hour or so later when I returned, I saw a huge hawk flying low over the road as I was turning into the apartment complex. It had to be the same hawk based on the markings on his chest & belly. Wonder if he was able to catch dinner?
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I wish the hawk would have turned to give me a view from a different angle, specifically a look at its tail, but it wasn't going to happen. The only movement I saw in half an hour was when an American Crow swooped at him, causing him to ruffle his feathers.
The feeder birds were tenuous about being in the open with a predator hanging around, but after he continued to maintain his position, they dared to venture over for a bite to eat. This Common Grackle must have a mate and babies on a nest. He came over time and time again to fill his beak with sunflower hearts and fly off with them.
I had business to tend to and left with the RT Hawk still on his perch. An hour or so later when I returned, I saw a huge hawk flying low over the road as I was turning into the apartment complex. It had to be the same hawk based on the markings on his chest & belly. Wonder if he was able to catch dinner?
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Cease Lease Please
If it wasn't for the dang lease on the apartment, I could be in the new home by now. Patience, Amy. It will happen soon enough. In the meantime, I wish I could at least add more birds to the apartment bird list as a reward for my patience. The list is only up to 31 with the latest addition being the Barn Swallows swooping through the air gleaning insects. I've seen them plenty of times before, but have never been able to positively identify them until the close-up views of late.
I also had a closer view of the Green Heron this morning. He landed on the power lines and sat still long enough for a decent photo.
Lucy is still trying to keep the squirrels at bay, but they usually ignore her. I do appreciate her continued attempts even though most times the squirrels realize she won't get to them. The element of surprise does the trick, though, every once in a while.
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I also had a closer view of the Green Heron this morning. He landed on the power lines and sat still long enough for a decent photo.
Lucy is still trying to keep the squirrels at bay, but they usually ignore her. I do appreciate her continued attempts even though most times the squirrels realize she won't get to them. The element of surprise does the trick, though, every once in a while.
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Happy Birthday, Pops!
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