Some More Pictures Seen Along the Way

The other we were going the long way around to the park to walk (as we usually do) and I had to stop for something. 

This is what I could see: 

There is a long line of Bradford Pears along Leavenworth Road there. 

Here they are, closer.  As of this morning, almost all the blossoms are gone, because of all the winds we have had this week. 

I miss my daffodils at the old house.  These are near the park where we walk daily. 

I'm planting some this fall. 

Cresting the top of a hill, I saw this. 

And this. 

This little guy was along the way today. 

And his partner was in the next tree over.  He posed for me... the sunlight was glinting off his whiskers. 

I got out of the car to take this near the little pond.  I know the people over there think I'm nuts. 

But.... I had a funny end to my afternoon. 

This morning, I was thinking about the Coopers Hawk.  I have not seen him 

for three weeks... either in our yard, or on one of the telephone poles over on Dempsey road, to the north of us. 

I was wondering if he were gone away, or dead. 

So, I'm be-bopping along, because I had decided to get a Fish Filet after church, 

and had to drive 15 miles from Tongie to KCK to McDonald's to get one. 

I had the camera tucked away in my purse. 

I drove home the "back way" from McDonald's, listening to a CD I had made.  I 

came up our block, and pulled into the driveway, and glanced to the left and noticed there 

were no birds at the feeder in the side yard by the patio. 

AND THEN THE COOPERS HAWK JUMPED OFF THE MIDDLE PILLAR OF THE PORCH, AND DOWN INTO THE YARD... AND THEN INTO THE BRADFORD PEAR CLOSEST TO IT. 

Duh. 

I'm usually a little more observant. 

I grabbed the camera, but honestly thought he had gone out the other side. 

I took a chance from 10 feet away and snapped pictures. 

I snapped about ten, even though I was less than ten feet from it, because I couldn't see anything. 

Duh. 

That's as good as it gets, folks. 

Can you even see it?  Upper right quadrant. 

At this point, it flew across the street low to the ground and into a pine tree. 

So, I came in, fed the dogs, and then fed myself my fish filet. 

I was in the tv room and thought to look out and see what birds were at the feeder... and...

THERE WAS THE COOPERS HAWK ON THE DOGHOUSE ON THE PATIO. 

Waiting for a Cotton Rat to come out to eat. 

I grabbed the camera and ran downstairs and realized Keith was in the bathroom (he had been napping).  I got to the far end by the windows JUST as the hawk lifted off, and at that point, he disappeared. 

Darn it! 

I'll keep my eyes peeled from now on.