The Deer Noticeably Missing.....

Observations at dawn....Cold, windy, and clear...about 32 F.

- The deer, for the first time in many days, were not seen this morning....and my sense is that this coincides with the opening of the hunting season for deer. Though they are protected in our developments, they seem to know what late November brings.
- The suet feeder was attacked during the night....raccoons again I suppose.
- Downy Woodpecker, White Breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, numerous Mourning Doves, and several Goldfinch on the feeders this AM. Crows were perched in the trees, but they did not approach the corn or the feeders.
- I built a feeder for squirrels last evening while at the cabin...simply a rough cut board (flat side up, of course) wedged between two tree trunks, with nails (sharp side up) to hold ears of corn. From a similar feeder I have taken great photos throught the years, and the squirrels seem to enjoy a flat perch from which to partake.
- The Cooper's Hawk...I have seen several of them lately...and it is refreshing, for they were endangered in parts of Tennessee not so long ago.