Backyard News - Accipiter Morning Stake Out...

With weather updates constantly changing on how much snow was expected, I decided to ride out the morning to see what played out. Keeping an eye out in the backyard, paid off as I noted an accipiter staking out the feeding stations. The bird took off before I could get any photos, but I was not worried as I figured it was circling around for another run as part of its hunting strategy. I guessed correctly, as I noted the bird about an hour later in the exact same spot and this time I was able to get some decent photos. I started to name the Hawk, but decided I would give readers a chance to make the ID...though I know some of you probably read my comment earlier today and may already know :) Enjoy!

Looked out this morning and saw this hawk scoping out the feeding stations.

The Cherry tree is a favorite spot for an ambush.

I have refrained from any trimming that would allow me clear shots.

Last winter, I had a juvenile accipiter that came in and watched me re-fill feeders.