There was a falcon perched in the flowering cherry tree in the front yard for about 5 minutes yesterday afternoon. Possibly a falcon. It had red eyes and peregrines do not. Cooper's hawks have red eyes and there are a bunch of them around. Sharp-shinned hawks, too.
Earlier yesterday, there were 3 or 4 birds whitewater surfing on the river, floating downstream at speed. Dark heads and white bodies. Little guys. A couple birds on the Nevada waterfowl list appear similar, but not enough white on the body.
Late last week, and late in the day, a young mule deer paused in the front yard, examined the house, then strolled on east along the gutter. About 5 minutes later, the deer returned on the jogging path on the far side of the street, hopping and skipping and covering ground in a hurry. The rose bushes and boxwood bushes out front had a hard winter, with bare spots left where deer nibbled on the leaves. Deer had a hard winter, too.
A couple weeks ago, there were pigeon feathers splattered across the back walkway, in two spots. No bodies, just feathers. One pool of blood and bird seed, diluted by the rain.
Nature, red in claw and tooth. Yuck.
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