My Encounter With a Hawk

This hawk scared the dickens out of the birds that were feasting at our collection of feeders on Sunday.  I was sitting on the screen porch watching the Packers/Bengals game and I was startled out of my chair by all of the commotion.

I searched the backyard in hopes of seeing the hawk and found him perched atop a high post, empty-handed.

How all the birds that were feeding escaped this predator is beyond me.  Gold finches, sparrows, chickadees, nut hatches, woodpeckers and hummingbirds had been coming and going all day.

The hawk remained atop the post for at least five minutes.  I started taking pictures inside the screen porch but eventually risked going outside and I was able to take several more.  The clear photos were those taken outside, with no screen between my camera and the hawk.  

I think he sees me.  Hello!!

Oh my, he's turning his back to me!  Well, I never!  

Oh, so you think you're too majestic for the likes of me?

I agree, you're pretty magnificent.  

I ignore his attitude and keep my camera on him.  I absolutely love my digital camera.  I can keep shooting forever or until he decides to depart.

At this point, he became quite exasperated with me.  I could imagine him saying, "Get a life, woman!"

As quickly as he swooped into my afternoon, he flew off.

I looked in my Birds of Wisconsin field guide and I've decided this is a Cooper's Hawk.  I could be wrong but that's my final answer.  Other hawks found in Wisconsin include the Broad-winged, Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned.

Compared to the Packer's performance, I feel I had a better afternoon.