Hawk

day sit.

on my way out the door, foxwalking, i was suprised when our goldfinches all flew towards me in a flock; the only direction i've ever seen them all flee in is away from the house, towards the trees. a moment later, i saw their reason: a very small crow-like bird, swooping right after them. the bird was silhouetted against the sun and i couldn't see any markings. faster than i could track, they switched positions so that the little birds were after the big; it was more like they were escorting it than chasing it, with some around it as well as behind it. they all did a few swirls toward the south, and then the bird continued on empty-handed and the finches retired to the trees. i ran in and got the binoculars after the most exciting part of the chase was over, but they didn't offer any more details than my first view had.

i looked up hawks, they being the only predatory bird i know of near that size, and discovered that there are a couple of small, crow-sized hawks, namely the broad-winged and sharp-shinned. it was quite chunky, so i'm betting on the broad-winged.

went out back to look at the turkey foot again, and was again impressed by its size. the three front toes are as long as my index, middle, and ring fingers; this is partly what gives it such the appearance of a hand. the claws are about half an inch long.

sunny today, chilly breeze. the earth is greening, and coupled with the blue sky, it was almost too much color to bear so early in the year.