The experience of caring for parents in their last days was fresh in our minds when we designed our new house. Since one can be forced to spend much of their day in bed, the view from the bed had to be able to take one outside. The bedroom windows face south and east. No neighbors allow for no curtains. The locust tree with its several bird feeders fill the eastern view from the bed.This morning the effects of yesterdays fight with the new storm had me lingering in bed. The mystery raptor flew into the locust tree. This bird is a frequent visitor but we have been unable to make an identification. It is either a small hawk or a large falcon. The flock of morning doves followed the raptor toward the tree. The raptor shot into the incoming doves and grabbed a dove in midair. It was our intention to feed the birds from our tree. We supply suet blocks, bargain peanut butter and seed. The birds that are drawn to the food we provide are themselves food for larger birds.
The morning show was not yet over. There was movement on the hill behind the locust tree. The fox was also looking for a meal. Sometimes the new snow remains trackless for a day or two. Yesterday's storm left a generous snowfall. Its surface is crisscrossed with many different tracks this morning. The late winter breeding season is close at hand.
