….I don’t have to like it.
As the day broke on this chilly morning, I sat at the kitchen table and observed at least two dozen bluebirds descending upon the rooftops and chimneys of neighboring homes. Eureka! This called for another cup of coffee and a camera to try and capture the migration moment. I love it when a day starts like this one!
I watched wave after wave of bluebirds arrive to dine on mealworms, sunflower seeds, and to take a sip from the still icy birdbath.
And I smiled as I drank my coffee and clicked away with my camera through the window.
The bluebirds’ arrival encouraged the arrival of a large number of goldfinches that swarmed and drank and ate. Oh, such fun avian activity adding to our ever present juncos, cardinals, blue jays, nuthatches, titmouse and chickadees. It was a bird party.
But the party ended suddenly. I glanced up and not a bird to be seen. That is except one. And that one was definitely NOT invited to the party. That party crasher was sitting on the bluebird house. I had to admire its beauty but hoped it wouldn’t stay.
Seconds later, I saw my blue jay dart out of a nearby shrub screaming and the cooper’s hawk was just feet behind. I hope the jay made it to safety. I know it’s nature but I don’t have to like it.
That’s a beautiful Coop, but I understand your dismay at having him crash your lovely bird party. One day I watched a Cooper’s hawk grab a house sparrow from my yard, and I was pleased. When he came back an couple hours later and got a mourning dove, I was not so pleased. I just tell myself, you know, the hawk has to eat too, Kim. That usually helps me accept it, although I still wish they’d do that kind of thing where I can’t see it, lol.
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I guess the house sparrow was an appetizer. I agree that it’s the kind of thing they should do somewhere else. I wish they ate carrots…
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What an exciting way to start the day! I hope the Blue Jay made it. I loved all of the bird pictures.
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I’ll find out tomorrow when it does or doesn’t return to the feeder. Fingers crossed!
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Never good to see a bully descend. 😦 I do love your header shot though. 🙂
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Raptors in a habitat is a sign of a healthy environment… but I just don’t want them in my tiny peaceable kingdom beneath the feeder!
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I get them here as well so now I scatter seed in amongst my beach roses for the wee ones 🙂
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Where do you source your mealworms? USA? Those freeze dried worms are usually from China and I warn birders not to feed them. A good source of mealworms in the USA is http://www.grubco.com. Commercial suet is the same…usually from feedlots where animals are stressed and fed antibiotics…a drizzle of non-GMO sunflower oil on birdseed is the better choice. Please urge your readers to consider the source on all wild bird feed. Thanks!
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Good point! I have another source but I’ll check out your online site. Thanks.
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