Soaring high.

As much as windy days can be a pain in the ass around here when out in the cold taking care of the animals, it can also be beautiful! The red tails around here love to soar over my house in the wind. You can tell they are having fun....not hunting, truly just up there to enjoy themselves! On this particular day there were 4! One pair soaring right over head, one pair a little further away.

One in particular spent a lot of time right over me, just drifting in the breeze. It gave me ample opportunity to take advantage of it's proximity and snap away with the camera. I think once he knew I was taking pictures he decided to show off a little! LOL

They really are amazing to watch....as long as they are staying away from my squirrels! :)  Absolutely beautiful and so peaceful...wish I could soar up there with them!

I love that I never know what unexpected beauty I may run into when I walk out my front door, courtesy of Mother Nature!

Whack a mole for raptors.

This beauty has caused quite a stir at the feeders outside my kitchen window. It occasionally decides to make a pass over the lawn and land in the tree across from me, watching chippy's running to and fro across the grass.

Occasionally it makes the effort to glide down and check them out......

......standing over the hole it sees one scurry down, hoping for a little head to pop up so he can pluck it outta there!

Hehehe....meanwhile the chippy has already popped it's head out of one of the MANY other holes in the lawn, watching and warning others from safety.

A gorgeous bird...I think it's a juvenile, the tail is not red yet...however I'm not the best at identifying different stages in birds. My skill is limited to identifying the species at best!

Strutting their stuff & a red tail hawk rescued.

My sister in law called me today. Her mom had an injured hawk in her yard so I headed over there to check it out. Sure enough it was definitely in need of rescue....so I donned my leather gloves, grabbed a blanket and snagged me a hawk. The Animal Rescue League was kind enough to pick it up to transport it to Tufts since I had to get to work and couldn't drive it out there myself. I didn't like the look of one of the wings so my fingers are crossed for the poor thing.

I was out yesterday doing the usual rounds. I was standing at the ponds edge calling to Hissy for our usual visit. Soon enough he rounds a corner....and surprise, the Mrs. was with him too! I haven't seen her in a while. Then an even bigger surprise!!! Babies!! They were swimming so close up mom's butt I didn't even see them until she turned sideways. The proud parents came in for a treat and to relax and show off the new brood!

Only 2 this year...last year they had 4, then adopted 2 more later on.....

Hanging out, the kids are snuggled under mom on the right while Hissy keeps an eye out on the left.

I've got 2 female turkeys hanging out on a regular basis this year. Soon this guy showed up strutting his stuff! Although I don't know who he is trying to impress here as the girls were no where to be seen at this time! He was making quite a racket too....the cats were enthralled!!