If you don't already have a copy of the Field Guide, I suggest you get one. It makes it easy to identify the birds, and you learn a little about each one as you spot them. You can check them off on the index list in the back. Even with my bad vision, I still take my Field Guide along with me when I travel places - you never know.

By marking the date/time/location of sightings over the years, you can almost predict to the day a certain type of migrating bird will show up. I've had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak show up in my back yard on or about May 12th for quite a few years now. Even when I don't see him, I can hear him now. He sounds a bit like a Robin, but with a little more oomph in his song.

I was in the front of the house with my husband a while back and we heard a loud bang out back. I was afraid maybe the gutter had fallen off again.

Right outside the back window was a Cooper's Hawk standing on his prey - a mourning dove, with a pile of feathers in the grass around them. He must have slammed the bird into the house. I felt kind of bad because my husband really likes those mourning doves. In the winter, they follow him around like chickens as he spreads out bird food for them. Oh well, at least it was quick. The hawk looked pleased with his catch.

My husband said it didn't bother him. He said the rest of the mourning doves were probably out front saying "Hey, didn't Ralph say he was coming right back?"

It sure gets quiet around here when the hawk is around.