on 11/10/04 9:08 PM, Flyfishgrl@xxxxxxx at Flyfishgrl@xxxxxxx wrote:
Reads like poetry! We need more of this kind of reporting on our
list-serve. Then no one would complain. and if they do, send them to me.
Thank you for this!
Barbara Chambers
Annandale/Fairfax
Tuesday, November 9, 2004 . 5:30am, 19 degrees, very dark. I find myself
climbing up the top of a ridge in the Locust Spring area of Highland county,
Va..
I find a comfy tree hidden behind a stand of small pines and sit and wait.
Soon the sun begins to appear above the ridge across the valley I had just
come
from. A deer mouse scurries in front of me almost on my feet. Ravens are
calling. I hear the familiar sound of a squirrel searching for food in the
dry
leaves. I spot the squirrel at about 75 yards. It makes its way almost to my
feet. It continues probing the leaves for hidden food. The squirrel works
its
way to my right and behind me. I follow the squirrel with my eyes not turning
my head. I only know it is there by the sound. I move my eyes to the front
of me again and out of no where appears this speed demon, a gray ghost. I was
not the only thing watching the squirrel this morning. This gray predator
maneuvered through the stand of pines like a fighter pilot. I could almost
feel
the air it created as it sped past me. It flew only 3 feet off the ground. It
was close enough to reach out and touch. I turned my head but could not see
where it went But I did hear that familiar sound of a squirrel running through
dry leaves. I did hear a final crash. I am not sure who won. This was the
most beautiful adult goshawk, like gray velvet in the crisp, morning sun.. I
read that goshawks eat medium sized birds. I am guessing they don't mind
eating
average size squirrels.
Suzanne Malone
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
