Why Can't I See You

In the past couple of years I have become way more atune to birds, taking their photos, listening to them, reading up on the ones I see, hear and photograph so that I can identify them and when I'm out walking and I hear them hiding in the trees all I want to do is see them - hopefully with camera in hand. Where we live we have a parklike lot beside our house and the railway runs behind, the lot has a large leaf maple tree, well actually two of them - we have one in our yard too but that is irrelevant at this point. Over the past several weeks I would hear a new call and every time I went to see if I could spot the culprit, the bird would fly in the direction that I could not see it... very frustrating. The only thing I had to begin to try and identify it was the call but I am a novice and without even a glimpse it would be a tall order to figure out what kind of bird would make that call.... then one day it happened,  I caught a glimpse ever so brief but it was enough for me to narrow the search - a hawklike bird. Hmmm?... I know I will google to see if there is a site that has bird calls on it - I love the internet search engine!  I found a site and  listened to several calls - then that feeling of satisfaction came over me -  I figured it out... a Cooper's Hawk.  Oh so exciting!!

For the past couple of weeks, everytime I hear that familiar call I creep out my side door and carefully go down the stairs so as not to startle the bird - camera in hand and wouldn't you know it most every time I lift the camera to my eye - he flies and then I am rewarded - well sort of. The shots are okay, certainly not crystal clear but clear enough to see he's been having a feast in the tree - busy little guy ;p

Above he has his catch. Then he flew away, when he came back his supper was missing but he had a little spot on his feathers... evidence I would say.

Now when he returns I still run for the camera and go into stealth mode and my heart leaps with excitement. Its crazy... crazy love of birds and the wonder of God's glorious creation!