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Post by ruffles on Jun 6, 2016 20:38:27 GMT -5
This afternoon I was out front trying to tend the irises back to life after yesterday's generous deluge of rain when the squawking began in our sky. There was a large hawk sailing over the trees across the street. There was a smaller hawk screaming and chasing after it. It wasn't very hard for the large hawk to avoid the smaller. It even sat in a tree top for a moment or two. Then a second small hawk joined with the first. Together, they were totally determined to send the larger hawk clear out of town. The second smaller hawk began dive bombing the larger hawk from behind and was actually striking it at the rear. This caused the larger hawk to dip drop suddenly followed with a bit of acrobatics to regain a steady flight. This went on as they traveled across the sky. The small hawk pair were unrelenting with non stop screaming as they continued attacking all while very determined the intruder was to leave town. Even small hawks have talons. One of them attacked again and the large hawk did a complete drop midair flip, like a somersault, which was either because of a successful hit or was its attempt to avoid another hit. It was very amazing to witness just how much control they have over their flight ability in mid air. The small hawks succeeded in their determined quest as they had achieved a considerable distance from the area they were defending. The larger hawk gave up. The small hawks backed off . The larger hawk gave one more half hearted loop sort of around near to where it had been but was no longer seriously interested and left the area completely. ............ This is nesting season. No doubt there are vulnerable fledglings hidden somewhere in those trees.
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Post by meggie on Jun 7, 2016 22:41:12 GMT -5
That was quite a show! It's amazing how smaller birds seem to be fearless taking on much larger predator.
We often have groups of crows taking on mature bald eagles. You can hear the racket for miles and the show goes on for a long time. I've never seen the crows lose!
Hope your irises weren't boo badly hurt.
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Post by ruffles on Jun 8, 2016 7:09:21 GMT -5
I don't like crows very much but they are extremely intelligent and have whole family groups. When the red shouldered hawks were nesting in my back yard, everybody moved out including the crows. ......... Robins are amazing. A few years ago a juvenile broad-winged hawk 'moved' in here. Everything, all song birds and ground rodents left except for the robins. The robins' non stop, steady chirping gave me a headache, but then, in the presence of a hawk, their headache had to be so much worse. One day I saw the hawk sitting on an open branch very high up in the top of a very tall tree. The robins were dive bombing it from the rear with the intent of attacking it. [This was the same tactic approach used by the small hawks in the air.] It took the robins 5 weeks but they succeeded in driving the broad-winged hawk out of the area.
The irises are doing rather well actually. The rain was hard for a short while but there was no wind. Several had to be staked but it could have been so much worse. Yesterday all the thunder cells stayed north of here. They are closing down at a normal rate. Some have closed for the season but several are still very lovely. Weather wise, this has been one of the best iris seasons possible. Everyone who came here was delightfully and wonderfully impressed with what I have here. I think I've got something here now that's definitely worth seeing. ......... It is a ton of work. I am frequently exhausted at night. ........... Brought up all the pots last night...The dahlias, begonias + elephant ear, among things, are now parked in the driveway, waiting to be spruced, divided and set into their places.
Decided to spruce up the lawn this year. Not sure if this is a good idea or not. It looks nicer but it is growing ridiculously and HAS to be cut A LOT. This takes a lot of time. Plus, was thinking of you meggie, there are moles. BARF! How effective is whack-a-mole? The electric lawnmower quit last night and now needs to be carted off to whom ever can fix it.
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