look who i stumbled upon. . .

our neighborhood Cooper's Hawk.

We had some new visitors, of the bird variety, to the yard yesterday (I'm thinking they are some type of wren) so I went to get my camera in hopes of catching a shot.  I definitely need to work on my bird ID skills.  It's been quite sometime since any new birds passed through so I was quite excited.  By the time I got back outside, all the birds were gone and the obese squirrels were attacking the feeder.

I stood there snapping away for a bit, until I finally looked up and saw the hawk sitting a few feet from me!  Sheesh, talk about being unaware of your surroundings.  Guess I need to pay a little more attention to what's happening around me.  

All raptors are just so amazing.  

The power.

The beauty they possess.
Love it.

I pity my poor birds and mice when this guy comes calling, but I welcome any chance for a close encounter.  Selfish, I know.