Hawk~Nature Notes~100611

I went for an afternoon walk yesterday at my favorite morning walking spot, which is one the dirt roads around the city-owned golf course. We aren't allowed to walk IN the course, but there are dirt roads around it.  There are always a lot of animals to see here...coyotes, ravens, roadrunners, jackrabbits, cottontails, ducks, geese, herons, egrets...It really depends on the time of year.  Right now geese and ducks are flying into the valley and I frequently see them overhead.  But, on this afternoon, it was a pair of Cooper's hawks that caught my attention.  One of them was on the ground in front of me and when I approached, it took off.  Soon, it was joined by another one and away they went, soaring high above me. I watched them swirl until they disappeared.  Nature Notes for October 6, 2011. To visit Nature Notes, please go to;  http://ramblingwoods.com/

Cooper's hawks~Nature Notes~081811

While we are here, up on the Mogollon Rim, I've discovered some interesting animals.  The first ones I discovered was the family of Cooper's hawks which seem to live in the forest behind the cabins.  Early one morning, I heard, "screech, screech, screech" and went out to investigate.  There were 3 of them in a pine tree...a momma and two youngsters.  Apparently they were getting ready to go out on their morning hunt because right after that, all 3 headed out, across the highway.  Mom and one of the youngins' came back, but the other one didn't.  And she called and she called and she called.  She finally stopped about noon and then started up in the late afternoon, so I went out to investigate.  He/she was back and had a...rodent.  I'm not sure why Mom was chirping.  I notice that when they are around, all the other birds disappear!  I've now seen them every morning and afternoon and they don't seem to stray far from one of the trees out back. I can identify pulling out one's hair...these two keep this mother hawk busy ALL DAY!  She must be exhausted by night!  To read more Nature Notes, please go to:  http://ramblingwoods.com/ 
***UPDATE***It's now 5:52 a.m. and mom is out there, already calling to the young ones!