A male cardinal brightens an otherwise drab scene.

A Sharp–shinned Hawk Perches On Our Bird Feeder

I was at my computer
when I heard
a familiar, loud thunk.

A bird had crashed
into the window.

In the best case scenario
it would eventually
recoup and
live to fly another day.
Or, it was
lying dead on the patio.

Fearing the latter,
I was reluctant to look.

When I
finally decided
to steal a quick peek,
I found myself
face-to-face
with a hawk
beginning to dine
on a dove.

In my mind’s eye
I saw the pure panic
of the dove
as the hawk swooped in
and, unable to scramble
fast enough,
exited in the wrong direction,
smashing into the glass.

Locking on my gaze
for but an instant,
the hawk
snatched up the dove
and flew away.

Hawks have discovered
suburban bird feeders
are a great place to
score an easy meal,
especially in
the dead of winter
when the ground
is covered with snow
and temperatures
are in the teens.

Stephen Hawking
has warned against
mankind’s compulsion
to broadcast our location
to the rest
of the Universe,
postulating that
alien life forms
may not be nearly
as cute and cuddly
as E.T.

They might just find
us to be
an irresistibly
tasty treat.
YUM!

If you simply flex your knees
Walking down a tree’s a breeze

A Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Estes Park, Colorado

Weighing about as much as a nickel,
hummingbirds are the smallest birds
in the world.

Its brain comprises more than four percent
of its total body weight, the largest
proportion of any bird.

Because of their small size, hummingbirds
approach the physical limits of existence
for warm-blooded animals.

The average life span of a hummingbird
is three to five years.

Hummingbirds can hover, fly backwards,
forwards, and even briefly fly upside down.

With an average flight speed of 25 to 30 mph,
a hummingbird can dive at 60 mph.

A hummingbird’s resting heart rate is 250 bpm.
When hovering, their heart rate can reach
1,300 bpm.

They consume nectar as well as small, soft
insects for protein.

Hummingbirds may visit up to 3,000 flowers
per day.

Females develop regular feeding routes which
are carefully designed so individual flowers
are visited at intervals allowing just enough
time for them to refill with nectar.

Males do not participate in rearing the young,
leaving females to handle that task alone.

*In memory of Della Bowman, a hummingbird enthusiast.

 The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 12-15, 2016

Raptor Rapture

Right on cue, a Sharp-shinned Hawk

has been a frequent visitor in the area

as temperatures nose-dived in December

and snow accumulated on the ground.

A downy woodpecker grabs a quick snack.

Throughout October
A Sharp-shinned Hawk
Was a regular fixture
In the neighborhood.

This is somewhat
Out of the ordinary
As they typically are
Observed during the
Cold winter months.

He looks to be plotting
His next move….or
Maybe just resting.