Thanks Roger for this wonderful story. I had two incidents to relate - the first on Monday. Heard a huge crash at the window and saw a huge wingspan go past. It shook the frame and I awaited some glass shattering, but not. Grabbing my camera I ran out to see if it was a Hawk and still alive. As I scanned the ground, I heard a noise above in the tree, as indeed a Hawk of some sort flew off (not sure if he had captured the Mourning Dove he sought). Then Tuesday as I went up the driveway, I saw another Hawk in a tree. I believe it was the same one a few minutes later that went after some birds across the driveway in another tree. I only got a couple id photos (encl). A beautiful 8pt buck with its mate also was in the front yard. Monday night a Luna Moth sat in the front yard tree. I'm still not sure if a butterfly or moth should be photographed with the tree or limb straight up, or the butterfly wingspan straight? so I do both. Like Roger, seeing these Hawks always amaze me. Unfortunately, my world turned sour a half-hour later when I accidentally ran over my new pup. Nata Jackson Greeneville, TN Greene County -----Original Message----- From: Roger Lemaster <jxlemaster@xxxxxxx> To: bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thu, Aug 4, 2011 8:00 pm Subject: [Bristol-Birds] The dreaded Repairman I had made plans to visit Bush Hog Pond & West View Pond today in hopes of spotting the Pectoral and Least Sandpipers seen by Roy Knispel, Gil Derouen, Reece Jamerson and Rick Knight on August 2nd. I had corresponded with Roy via e-mail to get good directions and the best spots to view these shorebirds. I was very excited about this outing since I have not seen these birds before. However, as luck would have it my wife, Denise, informed me upon my arrival home a repairman would be at the house between 8:00 AM and noon to repair our dishwasher. This was not what I wanted to hear, but I put on my best smile and told her I would take of it. Fast forward to this AM.......While waiting on the repairman I took the opportunity to sit out on the patio and watch the usual birds come to the feeders. As I watched the birds feeding on the seeds a ruckus ensued with the Blue Jays squawking like crazy and every bird in the yard taking flight. I quickly scanned the yard to see if a cat had come creeping by. But, it wasn't a cat, it was a.....what for it..................low flying Sharp-Shinned Hawk after a slow moving Mourning Dove. As the Hawk glided low across the yard it missed the Dove ever so slightly it throttled up and landed in my neighbors tree. The Hawk bounced around in the tree for several minutes trying to find a good spot to better scan the yard. After the Hawk had found a good lookout, he stayed there for a few minutes and took flight again. This time his elevation was higher and he was head for several large pines on the other side of the yard where 4 American Crows where perched. The Hawk made a beeline for the highest perched Crow. With the Hawk barreling down the Crow duck at the last minute with the Hawk veering to the left. The Hawk circled back and land in the large in my backyard and stayed perched there for about 5 minutes. This gave me time to look at him through my binoculars. He was beautiful sitting there with the slight morning breeze ruffling his feathers. He then flew to the west and out of sight. What a thrill this was for me to not only see a bird of prey in action but this was also a life list for me. This was very cool! Roy, sorry I didn't get to use your direction today, but I wouldn't have missed this for anything! Also, I spotted a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher which is another life list for me. I've had a good and blessed day. I am glad I could share this with you. One last thing................thank goodness for that dreaded repairman! Roger Lemaster
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