I went outside at dinnertime the other day (which for me is around 5:00) and refilled the bird feeders, then waited to see who would show up.
It wasn’t long before there was a good bit of activity. There were Blue Jays and Cardinals…
…and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches…
…and even a handsome Grey Catbird.
But all of a sudden, their dining was disturbed by the arrival of a Red-shouldered Hawk, who came in search of his own dinner. He perched on an overhead branch and carefully perused the potential menu items.
At one point, he paused to scratch his itchy ear, showing that his talons can clearly serve more than one purpose.
Finally, after a bit more unsuccessful scanning, he flew off out of sight.
The birds must have been keeping a close eye on him, because once the coast was clear, they quickly returned. The Blue Jays and Cardinals came back…
…as did the Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches…
…and even the handsome Grey Catbird.
I’m glad the birds didn’t let the dinnertime disturbance keep them away for long!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
I love this! It’s lyrical and would make a great children’s book.
I hadn’t been thinking of that, but now that you mention it, I can totally see it!
I know the magnificent hawks have to eat too, but seeing them diving into a lovely backyard entrée is too much to bear. I glad this one missed a meal.
So nice to hear from you!
I am glad he missed a meal too, but if he had been successful I would have been hoping to capture it in all its gory glory!
Oh yes, you would have. You have the beady, voyeur’s ever watchful eye, And your trigger finger is ever-ready. You caught his so subtle ear scratch & that pair mating a while back. Not much gets past you, Kathy, on your reporter’s beat:: the public/private lives of our avian neighbors.
I can’t blame your dinner guests for beating a hasty retreat!
Beautiful photos ! Do you have trouble with the English House Sparrow ? We have some here that are killing a lot of our native birds. I have had to purchase a trap for them, they’ve taken over 2 Bluebird houses, and pecked a Phoebee nest to death as well.
Wow! I am sorry you are having to deal with that!
I have not had any problems with the English Sparrows here.