Pretty Nice Today.....

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Got in 18 holes of golf on one of the short par 61 courses. (Shot a 79 which ain't bad considering how little I've bee able to play for the past three months)
On the 5th hole, a 353 yard par 4, I hit a nice drive down the left side of the fairway; as drove up in the hot rod Golf Car, noticed a coyote crossing in front of the green about 100 yards away; he headed for the lake that runs along the left side of the fairway, then along the edge of the lake and passed within 25-30 feet of me with a cottontail clutched in his mouth. Thought that was kinda cool. Waited 'til it was well past before hitting and going on.
Then, as I left the golf course, one of our resident Harris Hawks flew just over the golf car and landed in a palm about 15' over my head. I stopped and whistled at it and it turned and gave me a look! Again, very cool. We have at least a pair of Harris Hawks residing in SCW and I think they nest in a tree just off the 13th green of Grandview golf course where Suz and I will be playing Friday. I've seen them there several times and also sitting on the edge of Del Webb Memorial Hospital roof. Only raptors that live and hunt communally. Beautiful birds, kind of reddish brown and they have a broad band of white on the tips of their tail feathers. Very Happy

With all the cottontail and quail aroud here, I'm sure they're in Hawk Heaven!
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John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
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When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Not bad Hooligan. That's pretty respectable. I definitely want to hit the links again. Maybe I can coerce you to come out to the East coast sometime. There are a few nice courses out here.

I have one question though, after the dream, did you wake up in your bed, or on the carpet? Chuckle

IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/13/2006, 5:03 am Post subject:

I used to enjoy the Harris' Hawks in Tucson. I haven't noticed any in the White Mtns. although we have redtails, kestrels and some others. The Harris' seem to like urban areas.

Shawn · Posted: 7/13/2006, 6:39 am Post subject:

We have a pair of Perigrine falcons who visit the building roof next door, think I posted a pic awhile back. They are not around lately but we saw one visit briefly a week or so ago. Must have been passing thru.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

DesertDog · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 402

Shawn · Posted: 7/13/2006, 7:03 pm Post subject:

When I first saw these critters I thought I'd discovered something. Turns out they are well known around town and quite possibly are the same ones you saw. G & F are supposedly well aware of them. I saw them hauling squab up to the top of the building for lunch many times, and you are right, they don't clean up after themselves at all.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/16/2006, 4:24 am Post subject:

Yeah, but they do help get rid of those danged flying rats (pigeons)!