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Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

I think that you are right. The crows and the hawks have reached an accommidation. This is not so unusual in the natural world. I see it every day in my front yard with the squirrels and the birds. Not one act of violence or aggression.

I am not saying it can't happen, but it is rare. Humans need, and I do mean Need, to observe how every other species on this planet behaves. Violence is not the modus operandi; it is the exception. Thanks for the post, Neil.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Perry and happy to share. I do agree that humanity need only observe the Natural world. There is so much value in simply observing behaviour in the Natural world.

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Michael's avatar

Isn't it funny how whenever I see your photos of birds and little animals I always want them to do and be well? And that feeling is not unique to me- it is the general rule I assume and hope!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Michael and I like that general rule!

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James Freitas's avatar

Great sijo and essay, Neil! It is interesting to follow your larger Cooper’s Hawk story arc as you keep returning to them. It is amiable that the crows and the hawks seem to have reached an understanding. Thanks for writing.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks James and it's nice to see this pair settle in and I'm hoping to share some updates over the course of the year.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Outstanding post, Neil. The images of the female Cooper’s hawk are incredible, with the light on her face. You can really see the look and the soul of her shining through her eyes. I noticed a pair of Cooper’s hawks circling over my neighborhood the other day and few Crows were getting a little riled up, but left them alone.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Heidi and much appreciated. That's great that you are seeing Cooper's Hawks as well. I'm thinking maybe while both the Crows and the Cooper's Hawks are each nesting, they sort of keep an uneasy truce.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

It does seem like a truce between the Crows and Cooper’s Hawks. Your writings have helped me understand this. Thanks, Neil!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks as well Heidi and please keep me posted about the Cooper's Hawks you see too. I'm becoming really interested in them this year :)

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Wonderful post Neil! I love what's happening there for you with the Coopers Hawks! I look forward to new developments!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Pamela and much appreciated! They're making for an interesting Spring birding experience. :)

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

You are so lucky! I've got to start getting out with camera. We've had so much rain here. I did a drive through the Refuge last Sunday and saw a couple of great white egrets and a couple of short eared owls. Of course I did not have the camera, it was after Easter dinner.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Pamela and that's awesome to have seen the Great White Egrets and Short-eared Owls. We're still waiting for the egrets to arrive up here in Ottawa. The Short-eared Owl would be a lifer for me - never had the luck to see one yet.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

The short eared are at the Refuge every winter. They hunt around dusk. You would almost think they were harrier hawks by their flight movement and hunting patterns, but the head is bigger. It was treat to see them. I expected to see more egrets. Hopefully soon, and hopefully they will up there soon.

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John Mitchell's avatar

Great photo of Cooper’s hawk pair!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks John - luck and timing!

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