Well, a single raptor, and he was sitting outside the window right next to the building!
Here are some pics I got (way to go Delia, for remembering her camera!):
My ID is an adult Cooper's Hawk. Susan Gets Native -- what say you? And is that some recent blood/flesh on the beak? He sat out there for a while--maybe digesting?
Delia, I'm so glad you remembered your camera! Wow. What a good close-up. The eye color looks like an immature to me but I'm totally, hopelessly useless with hawk IDs.
Good one, D! Mary is half-right about the juvenile eye color. I can see the tiniest bit of yellow at the top of that awesomely fierce eye. That bird probably hatched in 2006. And that IS a bit of food remaining on the beak. Really great photos! You get a new camera or sumfin? *going back to look at them again*
That bird was maybe ten feet from me, through the glass. It was soooo cool!
Mary--look at you, spotting that little yellow in the eyes--you're a pro! Thanks, Susan! This is the same Kodak Z712-IS that I had just gotten before Cape May. I'm just getting better at using it, I think! Plus I took about a hundred pics, so I was bound to get a couple good ones!
Lynne, he was way fluffy, because it was sooo freakin' cold (probably in the teens) yesterday.
Delia! What a great shot! That flat head looks like an adult Cooper's.
I'm not sure about age, they used to say that you could age them by eye color, but an article a few years ago said that wasn't a diagnostic aging tool.
I wonder if the bird hit the window and was recovering for a little bit? Accipiters love to chase birds into windows and sometimes they don't put the breaks on in time.
Birdchick--thanks for the "flat head" info; not being too into raptors, I didn't know that one. Hadn't thought about the window-crash theory--he was first in a small crabapple tree, then flew about 100 yards and landed on the ground.
KGmom--thank you, but you know--this guy just sat there, unfazed by people walking a few yards away (they didn't see him). I don't think he could even see me; the windows are reflective.
That's awesome! What a beautiful bird! And great photos!!!!
ReplyDeleteGosh - what gorgeous pics!
ReplyDeleteDelia, I'm so glad you remembered your camera! Wow. What a good close-up. The eye color looks like an immature to me but I'm totally, hopelessly useless with hawk IDs.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Good one, D!
ReplyDeleteMary is half-right about the juvenile eye color. I can see the tiniest bit of yellow at the top of that awesomely fierce eye. That bird probably hatched in 2006.
And that IS a bit of food remaining on the beak.
Really great photos! You get a new camera or sumfin?
*going back to look at them again*
Fantabulous fotos Delia! He looks way fluffed up.
ReplyDeleteThat bird was maybe ten feet from me, through the glass. It was soooo cool!
ReplyDeleteMary--look at you, spotting that little yellow in the eyes--you're a pro! Thanks, Susan! This is the same Kodak Z712-IS that I had just gotten before Cape May. I'm just getting better at using it, I think! Plus I took about a hundred pics, so I was bound to get a couple good ones!
Lynne, he was way fluffy, because it was sooo freakin' cold (probably in the teens) yesterday.
Delia---cool cool cool pics. Wow, so close. Love the look in his eye--not another step closer, human.
ReplyDeleteDelia! What a great shot! That flat head looks like an adult Cooper's.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about age, they used to say that you could age them by eye color, but an article a few years ago said that wasn't a diagnostic aging tool.
I wonder if the bird hit the window and was recovering for a little bit? Accipiters love to chase birds into windows and sometimes they don't put the breaks on in time.
Oh my- Delia, what photos!!
ReplyDeleteBirdchick--thanks for the "flat head" info; not being too into raptors, I didn't know that one. Hadn't thought about the window-crash theory--he was first in a small crabapple tree, then flew about 100 yards and landed on the ground.
ReplyDeleteKGmom--thank you, but you know--this guy just sat there, unfazed by people walking a few yards away (they didn't see him). I don't think he could even see me; the windows are reflective.
Good raptor work, dg. I haven't birded since LBJ was prezdint, but I would have guessed juvenile because of how fluffy the feathers are.
ReplyDeleteMatty--I think he was fluffed up against the cold cold wind.
ReplyDelete