Lunch at the birdfeeder

Just looked outside to see a bird on the ground just to the left and in front of the bird feeder.  The bird was bigger than most of the birds that come to the feeder, and it looked like it was eating something on the ground under it.  When the bird's head was visible, I could see it was a hooked beak.  In the pictures you can see the birds eyes are red with a black pupil, the feathers under its chin are mottled brown and white, while the feathers on the back of the bird are dark grey.  The tail is long and narrow with bands of lighter shades of grey.  The beak is black and the facial feathers are blue.

Too much glass

This was on the front porch stoop when we got home. We found a smear on the glass door just below the holographic leaf placed to help birds avoid collisions.  I thought of what Hoss would do (freeze it for never-later stuffing) and decided to leave it for a natural disposal in the woods.

Hearth stones

Paul arranged the PA bluestone that we bought from Kohlhepp's in the hearth template.  He has it so that the wood stove will sit on 4 stones.  The brown square simulates the stove.

No workers were here today.  We are working on paint colors.
On my way downstairs this morning a Cooper's Hawk was perfectly framed in the front hall window.  We ran for the binoculars and watched it lord over our front yard but catch nothing.  What a beautiful bird.  Tonight as I put the hens away a bat flew overhead.  Today was close to 80 degrees so I'm sure we had plenty of bugs.
I left the crutches in the car today.  Officially, I only have till Tuesday.  The brace will have to do;  I will admit to some cheating at home but I've been very careful during the work day. I'll only miss the crip parking pass when it's raining.
Tonight was the first time I've been to the top of the hill in 6 weeks.  A large oak fell along the trail during the last storm; it has many pileated holes and a large hole at the base of the tree.  We'll get some firewood out of this.  It will be easy to retrieve since it fell parallel to the trail and not down hill.
We ate our Good Friday dinner at the Port Matilda Fire Station: 3 recipes of white fish, mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, stewed tomatoes, (very) sweet tea and pies and cakes.  I think Steve Hardwick could give the PM  fire-chef pointers. We met Chris and Andy there, serendipity, and got an update on their well drilling and revised house plans.

Sunday

No hunting in PA on Sundays but the Cooper's Hawk that just took a male cardinal didn't know that. I didn't see the hit but saw the hawk land, mantle, and then take off to the jack pine for a moment. The bright red cardinal stood out in the dry snow on the jack pine. We then lost them to the back forest where the Cooper's could eat in privacy. We can tell something is awry, that there is a hawk in the neighborhood, but that silence only lasts until the hawk is further occupied. As soon as the cardinal was taken, the other little birds came back.
It's still snowing, 6" new fluffy flakes, but the temps have mellowed to +15 degrees. No wind.
1 egg at breakfast. 2 more before lunch.

Hawk

The Baron took a break from his RFP to catch this Cooper’s hawk eating a junco. He didn’t see the catch, but we watched it eat for 20-30 minutes. It was on a snag abut 30 yds out front which is over the limit for my camera. I was able to walk out to cut off 10 yards from the shot but by then the sun was in; I know: excuses, excuses. The snow is probably 8” deep and crusty, so sneaking up is difficult.

A 2 hawk day

I watched a harrier soar at grass height over Ron's lower corn field. The bird was low enough that I could see the back and the white coverts rather than the belly, unusual to say the least. Definately saw the white rump. At first I assumed it was a redtail just by the numbers. She buzzed down field to the end then came back about half way as if she was looking between the rows. Way cool.
Later I saw a junco grab a sunflower seed from the box on the stump and dive under the Hardiplank pile at the trailhead. At first I thought it was a mouse. The Baron confirms he has seen the same action. It's a snuggly safe winter haven.
The Baron saw the Cooper's or Sharpie today around noon. It did the fighter jet simulation between the trees in front. He lost it in the trees before seeing the catch. It's a thrilling sight.