The Eurasian Collared - Dove's Mistake

CAUTION: Graphic photos below!
Sharp-shinned Hawks visit my yard irregularly in the winter. I happened to be standing at the back door the other day when one stooped, darted into one of my big juniper trees, missed it's tiny bird, flushed a Eurasian Collared-Dove who flew straight at me standing in the door. The dove hit the glass, fell to the patio and was pounced upon by this juvenile sharpie.
What followed was not pretty. The dove kept trying to escape and in fact did twice, but not fast enough to avert recapture.The hawk held on and moved the bird - in low, labored flight to the neighbors yard.Can I just say death by hawk is not a quick, painless way to die?The sharpie did not finish it's meal and left it on one of our Russian Olive tree branches. I tossed it over the fence so it would not fall to my dogs. The next day, the hawk came back and was actively searching for the rest of it's dinner. I don't know if it found it over the fence. Has anyone heard of hawks coming back the next day to finish a meal? It was quite fascinating to watch.

Giving Thanks

I'm thankful for colors

For good food, and you Al, my loveI'm thankful for birdersI'm thankful for smiles

I'm thankful for snow
For family and life
I'm thankful for sight
I'm thankful for water
For turkey of course
I'm thankful for silliness
For times of reflection
And times of great fun
For blue eyes peeking
The wide open prairie
For a God who loves deep
With no reservation
I'm thankful for music
For astonishing skies
For deer in the yard
And joy in the journey
I'm thankful for love
And shoes of course
For beauty and laughter
The freedom to ride
I'm thankful for flowers
And friends to have fun with
I'm thankful for mountains
I'm thankful for breathI'm
thankful

Willows.

This is one of the places, can you see it? A lovely patch of willow. I recently found a ranch that has tons and has given me permission to gather what I want when I want to. I love working with willow. I make little tables, wall decorations, embellish fences, trellises, etc.While rummaging around in the patch I discovered this nest.
As I stood amidts this patch surrounded by the beauty of the 300 acre ranch I was deeply grateful to be here.
I had to sneak a closer peak at the nest. Looks like a Red-winged Blackbird's. So beautiful.
Another view from where I was parked on the ranch road. Stunningly beautiful day. It looks farther than it is.
Bundle by bundle of 25 willows, I loaded my car to capacity of 250 willow whips. Packed. I put a tarp inside to protect things, works wonders.
I was exceedingly joyous over this fine batch of willows carefully harvested as to leave plenty of cover in the patch, too.
Next: What do I do with all those twigs?

The Conspiracy Continues.

I'm not sure what's gotten into me,I'm not my usual self.

The grackles they've nearly skinned me,
I'm hiding beneath the shelf.
This feller he ain't so bothered,
By their bossy, raucous ways.
Their constant show and chatter,
Or how they spend their days.
Me, I'm still at odds,With their vanity and their pride.
I'd rather have a sweet Downy,right here by my side.