Well, it has been a gray, damp day. January can be a difficult month, but I will take this over snow and ice! I forgot to take my camera when I went out to run errands, and I did regret that. I saw a Cooper’s hawk on the neighbor’s fence, close enough that I could have had a spectacular photo. If I could compose a book of my missed photo ops, it would be a real prize winner! So, instead, here is a hawk picture taken a couple of years ago. I thought to was a Cooper’s hawk, but after yesterday’s webinar, I think it might actually be a sharp shinned hawk! They are quite similar, so I may need an expert to weigh in. The one on the fence today was definitely a Cooper’s hawk, with a blocky head.
And here is a little downy woodpecker, one of today’s often overlooked, “common” visitors. And another “common” visitor, but certainly not little, the pileated woodpecker.
As I waited for the UPS driver to deliver a package today, I noticed that the honeysuckle has buds! That is weird, and I don’t think the blooms will survive…
The horses are tired of this gray weather, too. There is a lot of rough housing going on. Bart came in with a small injury. Now all three horses have something – Stone has lost a shoe, Oisin is healing from his pastern / heel injury, and Bart has a minor scrape that luckily missed his eye. I am hoping for the rule of three, that this will be the last thing for a while.
Stone prepares to bite Oisin… 
Looking innocent 
Bart has an ouch!
Tomorrow, daughter Anne will visit briefly and Covid cautiously. In anticipation, here is a picture of Harry with Anne’s self portrait.
I am looking forward to seeing Anne, and I hope I remember to take some pictures! Then, I have some family business that will take some time and energy, so I am going to take a short break from blogging. It won’t be the internet this time! I will be back soon, and I appreciate all my readers. Roscoe is looking forward to taking a break.
Stay safe, stay well.
Your blog will be missed. The photo of the hawk is perfect. Silly horses wanting to play. We can never be satisfied with how we keep them. Love the Downy Woodpecker, so cute. Anne, does she practice her artistic talent? Her self portrait is lovely. Good-by for a while, take care of all that family business, and come back soon!
Happy trails. I will look forward to your return.
Dicto…..
I’ve saved some of you pics in my photo library so I’ll happily dwell on them until your return. Stay well!
There goes my entertainment and learning. I hope the family matter goes as well as possible and your blog returns sooner than later. Best of luck, stay safe.