We've had our first real snow (not all that deep -- only about four or five inches) but it was enough to look pretty at the ditch.
Pretty cold, that is!
As you can see, there is some open water on the big pond. I suspect it's because since it is a drainage dish, there is continually water coming into it or moving around. Just a guess. But I'm glad because I know the ducks are there year round, though I didn't see them today. They need water.
There are loads of birds at my feeder, totally delighting Lizzie. But she didn't see this one!
I was coming home from the store and my quick stop at the Ditch for pictures when a big bird flew in front of me. He landed in a nearby tree. So I had to get closer!
What a handsome fellow!
When I posted on FB there was discussion about who this might be with the two leading contenders being a Cooper's Hawk with winter plumage or a kestrel.
So, to my bird experts -- care to weigh in? (Note: David from "Travel with Birds" just did -- without doubt, a Cooper's Hawk!" Thanks, David!)
My zoom is not the most reliable in recent times -- it often goes off-focus. But this time it served me well!
And for once, I had the camera with me at the right time!
It made the cold day well worth it!
Sharing with: Saturday's Critters
73 comments:
What a gorgeous raptor! I do not think that you could have taken enough photos of him/her/it/they. The sky OH MY! I would love to wear it!
Beautiful creature, beautifully captured!! But is that a belly-button?!?!
Winter looks as it should - nice and cold.
The bird on the tree branch has...presence.
Handsome indeed! Thank you for sharing him on your blog.
That's a beautiful bird.
I used to see them over on this side of the state at my other house. I debated, too, and finally decided it was a Cooper's Hawk.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Jeanie, this is a Cooper's Hawk.
No idea, Jeanie, not a bird that is seen round here. Our kind of kestrel has similar plumage but is otherwise quite different.
Enjoy your winter!
Great pictures of the hawk! He/She's pulled one leg up into the feathers on his/her belly. You can just make out the talons in the second to last picture.
-Polly
We had snow today and the cold is coming. But no hawks for me. He is a beauty, and I'm glad to know he is a Cooper's hawk. You did have a beautiful winter day at the ditch too. Have a great weekend and stay warm Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
The hawk is so beautiful! What a sight to see! The snow looks so pretty too.
Very nice capture! Beautiful bird.
Great photos, Jeanie! I need to get out and about with a camera sometime. Seems all I ever photograph is food! Glad your zoom didn't fail you—that's a magnificent bird!
It does look pretty at the ditch, and the blue sky is lovely to see.
Lovely photographs of the hawk.
Have a lovely weekend.
All the best Jan
A gorgeous hawk. First thought it was a Kestral myself, but when I looked it up, it is a Cooper's Hawk. Saw my first eagle o the season the other day. It was still a young one with no white head yet. Still a majestic bird. Janice
Hooray for blue skies and walks at the ditch... and having your camera along at the just the right moment. So glad you noticed this elegant bird -- great picture!
Beautiful photos, love them all. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
Gorgeous pictures!! I love all of them. xx Also, Happy New Year!
Handsome Predator indeed, but this is the sort that would pick off small domestic Pets. When we lived near the Desert out in the Boonies of Rural affluent Subdivision Hell, it was the rare small Pet that could venture outdoors and not get picked off by the indigenous Predators looking for a domestically fed morsel.
Exciting to discover new!
Hello Jeanie!
Pretty views of the pond and snow. We woke up yesterday to about 5 inches of snow on the ground. I love the pretty blue skies and great shots of the Cooper's Hawk. He is a beauty! Have a great weekend!
It does look pretty and cold! Great pictures of the beautiful bird.
Regarding Bohemian's comment above, Cooper's Hawk is an accipiter. In other words a bird that specializes in feeding on smaller birds which it takes mid air. Her domestic pets are in no danger from accipiters. When a stray cat patrols my backyard looking for birds, however, I can tell you that I am rooting for the coyote or the fox!
That was a really cool shot of the hawk, Jeanie. We got 10" of snow night before last. That's enough winter for me, lol. It'll take a few days to melt with frigid temps we're having right now. I couldn't do a steady season of this like you guys often do!
Love birds of prey. Great photos, Jeanie!
Gorgeous photos, dear Jeanie! Happy New Year!
What a beautiful hawk, great photos!! It does look cold there. I was actually hoping we'd get snow yesterday so I could stay home without guild, but alas, just a bit of rain.
What a stunning hawk--you took such great shots!! We mostly get red-tailed hawks here...cold at our place too--13 degrees this morning and pretty windy
hugs, Julierose
I like you, love having my camera ready to go when I see something in nature that is so good, I just need a picture. great pictures gave me a big smile this morning. Nature never disappoints. Las Cruces NM is cold this morning 39 degrees. but will warm up to mid 60's at minimum.
stay warm and keep happy.
Only 4 or 5 inches? Choke. Choke. Hack. Hack. :)
What a beautiful bird. Looks like he has that little leg drawn up, trying to keep it warm.
Hello Jeanie,
I love your beautiful Hawk photos, The Cooper's Hawk is a handsome raptor.
The views of the Ditch, pond and sky are pretty. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
We have a wee bit more snow, but we need MORE. It was -24 THIS MORNING, not sure of the low overnight, so we need more snow to insulate water pipes and the like. Some respite tomorrow thank goodness.
I haven't seen any of our raptors since winter blew in. I think they are hanging about the open fields up on the highway where the pickins' are better. There are freshly cut corn fields, which I'm sure are full of mice. We haven't seen or heard our owls, but they have a new den in the big pine tree not fifty feet from my back porch, so I'm sure we will at some point.
It looks like he has one leg folded up against him. I wonder if he hurt it.
I do love seeing your blue and white. The hawk is gorgeous too. We once had one visit our garden, but I wasn't happy because he was looking for little birds at our feeder. I watched him for awhile then shooed him away. That first picture is stunning too.
Great photos! - especially the hawk. It looks crisp and cold and beautiful; and, I'm glad I'm in Florida.
What a pretty snow scene, and the bird tops it off :)
How lucky to capture your beautiful hawk, it's moments like this that make me enjoy blogging the best - I would never have seen something like this if it hadn't appeared on your blog, thanks!
Pretty and cold. What a beautiful hawk!
It definitely looks like some kind of a Hawk to me, but I've never seen a White Hawk before, very cool. They are such grand birds. I love these photos, Jeanie, with the white bird against the blue sky. I'm glad you got to visit the Ditch. It sounds like it's not far from your house? It must look pretty with the snow. Our snow is melting, but we get snow here from December to March, so I'm thinking more will come. : )
Have a restful weekend, Jeanie.
~Sheri
Great pictures Jeanie . ..
Coopers Hawk it is!
oh a beautiful sight deep in mid-winter.
blue sky is always a gift these days, isn't it!
That is a healthful hawk! Glad you spotted it and could capture photos!
It was really nice here today. Up to 30 so we went sledding. It was nice to get out of the house. It’s been bitterly cold lately so today felt so nice! I’m already over winter and we have lots left!!
Beautiful raptor! The views are gorgeous.
Wonderful photos Jeanie and such a marvelous looking bird this Cooper's Hawk. You captured him beautifully!
Jeanie, the blue sky and the Cooper’s hawk is an amazing photo. I showed it to Butch and he said tell you it was an outstanding shot. I love observing nature!
Great pictures, Jeanie! There's something so exciting about capturing photos of an unusual bird, isn't there?
Love it Jeanie. We are in Summer here in Australia. Would love to hear from you! Love Cath
Your focusing is amazing. I can observe the bird very well.
Take good care against coldness.
Wow to the Hawk - I´ve never seen one for real.
We had snow. For... 15 minutes, uff, enough for my liking!
Rain today.
Hi Jeanie!! Great photos of that hawk, I love the feathering. Your "Ditch" is a lovely place with a dusting of snow! :)
Your scenes look so crisp and clear, and what a treat the hawk is.
Excellent captures, that hawk is amazing! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are doing well. I sure have missed reading here. Have a beautiful Sunday and a great week!
What a fun post...and beauty is enough to take your breath away. Your hawk certainly looks Kingly---King of the ditch...fun post, love all the photos!!!
What a beautiful bird Jeanie! Stay cozy!
Jenna
I don't know the bird's name but he is beautiful. The coloring is eye catching too.Glad you got to walk to the snowy pond. Nature is always there even in winter.
I think I would have known this wasn't a kestrel, but I never would have guessed Cooper's Hawk. I finally decided it's because I've never seen one in winter plumage. It's a great set of shots. I wondered for a moment about the comment about the belly button, and then I figured that out. The hawk had tucked a foot into his feathers to keep it warm!
Your photos are lovely Jeanie. You captured that hawk sitting there so beautifully. The snow looks so beautiful. Stay warm!
A Coopers hawk...so great to get a good id! I struggle with the different hawks and the juveniles, etc! You got great photos and the snow looks pretty!
That is a marvelous looking hawk, Jeanie. We have about 7 or 8" of snow here and it is horribly cold. UGH. Not my cup of tea at all. We just had a break in the ice on the bay and thirty-some people had to be rescued-a few at a time as they were drifting out. I think they had to leave their equipment and all behind. They were all rescued but it is scary to think of it happening. xo Diana
Lol our Cooper’s hawk in our backyard stays brown! I love seeing what Michigan hawks look like. I still can’t get over the black squirrels!
Love seeing the pretty snow scenes there, Jeanie. Yes, I was going to say "Cooper's Hawk" as we see them here often. They are fairly big birds and good hunters.
Sounds like a very pleasant Wintery walk at the ditch. Awesome you got the hawk photo, and glad there's some still unfrozen water for those at the ditch who need it.
Hello,:=) What beautiful views you took, especially of the unexpected arrival of the beautiful Cooper's Hawk. What a beauty!
Gorgeous bird and wonderful photos!
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Beautiful photos my friend. Stay warm and safe. xoxo
As I'm sure you know by now, I've had no internet or phone since last Monday, but stopped by to say what gorgeous [photos you took of this magnificent bird and the Ditch. You gave us remarkable and stunning photos, dear.
Beautiful winter photos of your landscape Jeanie. Wow, you certainly did have your camera at the right place at the right time. The hawk is a beauty, just stunning actually. We have them around here and on occasion one lands on the fence. Certainly not the striking fellow you have there. Hope your week is off to a grand week........
Hi Jeanie. He is certainly a majestic looking fella. I would have guessed he was a hawk of some kind and I have never heard of a Cooper hawk. His winter cape certainly is beautiful. It looks very cold at the ditch. There is still snow on the ground in our garden and it looks and feels very cold, although the sun has been shining a few days now. I am being lazier than ever and not really visiting everyone in a timely fashion. It will get done although a little later than sooner. Hope you are well and enjoying the new year so far..xxoJudy
Hi Jeanie. I just typed you a big note and then my internet went out so I don't think it worked. I'll try again. He certainly is a beauty with his gorgeous winter feathers. I have never heard of a Cooper hawk. Do they normally have the white spotted feathers? It does look cold at the ditch now. Our yard is still pretty much covered in snow although the sun has been out for a few days. I have been so slow answering everyone. I just seem to do a little work around and then I sit down and forget to get back up!! I think I am hibernating! Hope you are well and enjoying the new year so far..xxoJudy
Good morning, Jeanie. What a gorgeous blue sky - such a vivid blue. We don't see many blue skies here in the winter, just shades of gray. Your hawk is beautiful. I don't have an affection for hawks, but he is so pretty.
I hope this finds you enjoying the new year - stay well!
Now that is a magnificent bird!
What a nice place to be able to visit! I knew that was a hawk but didn’t know which kind. Several years ago when we were going through that polar vortex stuff and super cold temps I had a red tailed hawk visit. He was mighty impressive although he was stalking my birds at the feeders!
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