Squirrel Blind To Danger

Posted 13 Comments by dogear6

I recently posted a picture of the hawk roosting in our backyard.

It’s been back again in our yard, this time dangling a dead squirrel.  I’m so thankful it wasn’t a dead miniature pinscher.  Although we have plenty of squirrels, I’m saddened that the squirrels that day were blind to the danger.

I don’t have any pictures of the hawk and its prey, but here is a sequence of other photos from that day.  I did not do a slide show so you can look at them more closely.  The first photo shows the back and tail feathers in good light, the next the head and beak, and finally the underside as it flew away.

© 2011 dogear6 llc
© 2011 dogear6 llc
© 2011 dogear6 llc

Word for tomorrow – MARRY.  If you prefer to work ahead, see the list for the week under “A Word A Day”.

Nature

dogear6 View All →

I am a backyard adventurer, philosopher and observer, recording my life in journals and photographs. Visit my blog at www.livingtheseasons.com.

13 Comments Leave a comment ›

  1. Glad the post-it didn’t cause problems! And what a great thing to have in your yard. I’m a little jealous, though I’m not entirely sure that a hawk that big wouldn’t be able to carry off the smaller of my dogs… She’s only 13 pounds!

  2. Pingback: Saturday Errands « Living The Seasons

    • Thanks Kate! I mean George. And who can mistake THAT face!

      Those pictures are incredible though. I was glad the glass door was somewhat clean. Had I stepped onto the deck, I never would have gotten that.

  4. Fabulous photos! I love the one where he turned to look at you! ~ Lynda

    *** This is going to sound silly, but once in California I was driving through an arid spot and saw one of these hawks flying down, a nose dive actually, and then without stopping he swooped back up and flew off with a little squirrel. Having never witnessed “nature in action” I began screaming in terror for the poor squirrel. I know Hawks gotta eat, but not when I’m looking… Later on, I felt very foolish about screaming like a sissy. ;)

    • It’s hard the first time you see it and realize that there is going to be blood, gore, and a fair amount of screaming. Did you know rabbits scream? You can hear them for a ways when the hawk carries them off. While I’d rather not witness it, it’s part of life. And I’d hate to think how many mice and rabbits would be around without a predator. We certainly seem to have plenty of squirrels left in our yard.

      Thanks for the compliment on the photos. Yeah, she wasn’t at all happy with me looking at her, although she still stayed for a while. I clicked off 30 to 40 shots before she left. I just kept clicking as I knew I’d not have that kind of opportunity for a long time.

    • My husband was very impressed at how good I did considering there was so little time to swing up the camera and click away. All that practice this year paid off, especially practicing photographing those darned bees on the deck.

    • They are and this one was huge. If it wasn’t a female redtail, I don’t know what it was. It was more the size of an osprey.

      What’s funny is that our backyard is very very small, although apparently not too small for hunting. We haven’t seen it in our yard since it got the squirrel, but we did have a pair hanging around all summer.

      Thanks for visiting. I loved the pictures on your blog about renting the cabin and taking the caviar with. Very good story.

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