A Surefire Weight-loss Plan!

Earlier today as I was doing a bit of the old dreaded housework, I could hear such a ruckus going on outside in the yard. Since my baby Mockingbirds were perched on the Jasmine arbor, I was a bit concerned for their safety and hurried out as any good mother would! The little tots were crouched down low among the vines..hiding if you may..in hopes that whatever evil had all the adult birds riled, would not see them. I marveled at my babies! They were doing so well adapting to the "real" world..they could fly to the treetops, scratch for bugs in the mulch and obviously knew to take cover when older birds sounded the alarm. (Now if I could only teach them that the water bowl is there for them!) Then the caterwauling grew worse and I was brought back to the reason that I stepped outside. It seemed to be coming from down near the Bayou edge. Grabbing the camera, I traipsed down the hill. I could see swarms of different birds heading to one particular pine tree. Well, something was in that tree..something that obviously the birds did not want in that tree. I slipped closer and peered at the treetop. Finally, my eyes focused on the culprit! There on a lower limb of the pine was a large bird..a hawk! The raptor still had its dinner clutched in its talons as it was being pummeled by an assortment of smaller birds. There were Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, Thrashers, Cardinals and even the tiny Titmice. They were all scolding the large Red-tailed Hawk as it said ripping at its prey. They were flying at the larger bird and even ramming it head-on. The poor Red-tail could not even eat its rabbit in peace. I took one picture and before I could snap another..it was gone. It had flown toward the pier! I hurried after it but as soon as I had it in view again..the poor bird was rousted from this roost as well. (If you look closely in the upper right hand corner of the picture, you can see one of the Blackbirds that was badgering the Hawk.)This time the beleaguered bird dropped its dinner into the marsh. Its dinner gone, the bird flew to westward into the sunset. I guess this is one way to lose weight! The smaller birds soon settled back at the feeders as if nothing had ever interrupted their mealtime. The two small Mockingbirds flew to my shoulder and wanted back inside the house. This was a mite scary for two little ones and they wanted the safety of "Mom" and their cage! Perhaps just one more night, then they will be ready to be on their own..maybe two more....

The Red-tailed Hawk is a gorgeous bird. He is quite large and very majestic in appearance rivaling the Eagle in beauty. It is one of the hawks called a "Chicken Hawk" but this is a misnomer since it rarely preys on chickens. They would much rather catch rodents or birds. Squirrels seem to be prey of choice but birds, rabbits, mice, rats and even reptiles and fish are on its menu. Today's entree was obviously rabbit but the bird only got to devour a few bites before its dinner was rudely interrupted! I am not sure why but I rather admire this bird and hope it stays around the Bayou for a while.