Saturday, December 19, 2009

Thoughts From a Tennessee Mountain...at Christmas.....












- Quite cool, cloudy and misty mid-December day in southeast Tennessee.....below normal temperatures and rain in places. A good day for homemade chili or beef stew followed by a good novel......
- Evidently the Sparrow Hawks are doing quite well....been seeing them often along the roadsides, mostly on utility lines. They strike a distinguishing pose as they survey a field for the Meadow Vole and White-footed Mouse....and look for the hooked beak that assures one they have spotted this small, robin-sized predator. Red Tailed Hawks have been a common sight recently as well. Literally chased an evasive Cooper's Hawk around a hillside...as it flew to the grassy field, back to a tree, back to ground.... trying for a photo...to no avail.
- Top photo is of a Red-Tailed Hawk that has just left it's perch overlooking a field. Next photo is the same Buteo.....in a typical pose....just before taking flight.
- Bottom photo....a great place for a break while on a recent hike.....and, as the two photos above the rock photo reveal...the view was not too bad either.
- Keep your bird feeders filled.....our feathered friends appreciate our assistance this time of year.
- Merry Christmas to all and to all an enjoyment of our still bountiful land.....and the fauna and flora that make it special.



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