14 Comments
User's avatar
Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Fantastic photo, the bird looked like it would fly right out of my monitor! I have had similar visitors, a smash and grab crowd, but also pure beauty in their agile powerful attacks. What surprised me was how quickly everything went back to normal after the hawk left, with or without its prey.

Rosalind's avatar

Yes, Leslie, it did go back to normal quite quickly after the hawk had gone. Amazing, the birds do know exactly how long the danger lasts. The photo is not mine, I couldn't take a photo since I was holding back the dog!

lchristopher's avatar

That's incredible! Birds are lovely and life, even in death, as the hunters do. Brilliant, Mexico! <5

Rosalind's avatar

thank you kindly New York!

lchristopher's avatar

All you, Mexico!

Susan Keyes's avatar

As heart-wrenching as this was, you were very lucky to have witnessed the attack. I’ve only seen hawks in action in documentaries, never close up. Because your lovely garden is a sanctuary for most birds, apparently it makes for an ideal hunting ground!

And whatever kind of hawk it was, the photo you included is awesome.

Rosalind's avatar

Thank you my dear Susan, I have never seen one up close either so it was a real surprise! Imagine taking a photo like that!

Sarah Byrd Thompson's avatar

Witnessing the circle of life always breaks me wide open--such a devastating honor! Your description put me right there with you and your pupper.

Rosalind's avatar

Thank you, Sarah, nature at its best, right?

Wendy Varley's avatar

Dramatic, Rosalind. I’m unfamiliar with primaveras in England… aha! - googling shows me an American Robin.

We had a window casualty here last week - a green woodpecker. Such a sad sight. Think it was being chased by magpies. The hawk that flew into a window a few months ago recovered, thankfully.

Rosalind's avatar

Thanks Wendy, and yes, I should have explained what a primavera is, it’s a rufous backed robin, nothing like our robins in England but very close to my heart as I have lots in my garden, and they are friendly.

So sorry to hear about the woodpecker, that is awful, magpies can be so aggressive. But so glad to hear about the hawk surviving.

So much excitement in our gardens!

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Great tale of prey, Rosalind.

Rosalind's avatar

Thank you so much Jeanine!

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Very welcome, Rosalind.