hawks

Murray the cat spends a good deal of his time perched in the window, just watching the world go by. Whether he opts for a ground floor or a second-story window, there's a lot to see. 

Take for instance this cottontail rapidly inhaling the stalk of a clover bud.

Then too, there are plenty of chipmunks to keep Murray amused. This guy appears to be checking if the coast is clear.

Whenever feathered or furry visitors come into our yard, Murray's barely audible purr becomes a muffled staccato and his tail begins to writhe back and forth and up and down. It's also a signal to grab the camera and see what's up. Generally it's songbirds, red or gray squirrels and woodchucks that pique Murray's interest.......but not always.

Like the morning when this hawk alit in the hedgerow, perched no more than 12 feet off the ground. I'm not sure if it's a young Cooper's hawk or a broad-wing, but I was able get a sequence of photos and Murray didn't seem to mind my intrusion into his space.

Naturally any birds or cottontails had vacated the area, but the hawk seemed intent on having a look-see. It began scoping the area with a long look to the left.

It then did an about-face to scan the ground below and slightly to its right.......

before peering off into the distance.

It briefly cast a glance in our direction.......

then, partially obscured by twigs, it seems to go on high alert, craning its neck forward. 

Its head once again erect, it's still eyeballing whatever caught its attention.

Suddenly its bill opens slightly....is it agitated or getting ready to pounce?

Then, for the second time, it turned in our direction.......and it's probably just a coincidence, but it was at this moment that Murray decided to vacate the window. Seconds later the hawk exited its perch and, in a flash, swept downward and momentarily out of sight before emerging once again as it sped off, flying just above a ground cover of vine and brush before disappearing from sight altogether.

Like I said, probably just a coincidence, but when I turned from the window, guess where I found Murray?