Thursday, February 11, 2010

The storm that wasn't...

This was the scene at our little cottage yesterday... I'd made a quick run to the supermarket to pick up a few last minute items in anticipation of the major snowstorm due to start around noon. Schools had even cancelled classes the night before due to the dire predictions of driving conditions and anticipated downfall. I thought some fresh flowers would make the storm more bearable...


So I arranged these pretty pink tulips in a vase and set them on a table next to the family room window, just as the first little flakes starting to fall from the sky...


And while looking out the window, I noticed something else... Someone was admiring my tulip arrangement through the window... Here, let me get closer to the window and I'll show you.
Do you see him up there? He was clearly giving me a nod of approval....
I think he liked the bright pop of color from the tulips because everything outside had turned to shades of gray and white as the snow started.
Yup, he was definitely admiring the flowers through the window.

This is not the same hawk that has been visiting my yard lately. Although he looks large in these photos, he's quite a bit smaller than the large hawk that hangs around. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure he's even a hawk. I've heard what sounds like a falcon outside from time to time. Maybe someone with more expertise in identifying predatory birds will have a better idea? He finally got hungry and flew off in search of food, no doubt...

...which left the coast clear for Sammy to come out of hiding. He happily chowed down on peanuts I'd tossed out earlier in the day. Just be careful, Sammy. Mr. Hawk/Falcon was on the branch right above the old swingset you're sitting on!
Oh - and the storm? It fizzled out. Less than an inch where we live, and it didn't even stick to the roads.... A mere dusting.
Children: ecstatic at the no school or early release day...
Parents: not so much...
Weathermen/women: mea culpas

So today is sunny... I changed the tulip vase and had another visitor... I'll share that in my next post.


Donna

23 comments:

The Old Parsonage said...

Great photos! You'll have to check out my post today, great minds think alike!

Leann

Connie said...

Ya know, every time I see your darling cottage I am reminded how apropos the name of it is - truly like an enchanted cottage, sweetpea!
xoxo,
Connie

...so we added chickens said...

I think that might be a marsh hawk. We have seen something similar in our backyard and it seems to scare all the smaller birds away from the feeder. Marsh Hawk is our best guess. Great pics, though!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

this storm was all dressed up with no place to go....We had no snow either! Oh well, it will be spring soon anyway.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Donna, We have a Coopers Hawk here and he looks just like yours. The book says 16.5" high, does that sound about right. Ours is one of the babies that was born this summer in our woods. We have watched him grow up. When he was little he would sit on the pool fence and talk to me. There were 2 babies but our neighbor would shoot at them and must have killed the other sibling. Yes they eat the birds at the feeder but hawks have to eat too. Survival of the fittest.
We got another 12" yesterday but we are all dug out. It's like walking thru a cattle shute going to the garage with the high banks of snow on either side.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Pink tulips are one of my favorites! and Sammy better be mighty careful with Mr Hawk around. Too close for comfort!!

Stay warm! hugs, Sherry

Lisa said...

Hard to ID your feathered friend without a bit more details to go by. Either way he is a magnificent creature, but Sammy better keep his eyes open for sure. I think they are both plotting a way to get into the enchanted cottage to enjoy your tulips!

Glad the snowstorm spared you having to dig out!

Jean Tuthill said...

I'm so glad this storm fizzled out. I've had enough. I love your pictures of the hawk, tulips and Sammy. All so pretty.

Donna said...

It looks like a hawk to me - just a different variety from the large ones that I commonly see in the high tree branches this time of year. Lovely tulips! Ah, we all have a bad case of spring fever, huh?

Claudia said...

I'm glad Sammy is safe! We only got about 3 inches. Many dire predictions, of course, and our friends south of us got a foot or more. North of I-84 seemed to get very little snow. We dodged a bullet, it would seem!

xo
Claudia

Susan said...

Hi Donna....Yeah, the storm that wasn't turned out to be a real hoot, didn't it? I was happy for the people who had a (no) snow day, though. They deserve a day off. Loved your post today. Great pictures. And I love the pink tulips. Very pretty. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Hi Donna...Just wrote a note but I think I lost it. Anyway, great post with super pictures. Love the pink tulips. Yeah, the storm that wasn't didn't pass by here, either. But I was happy for all those people who had a (no) snow day. They deserve a break! ha! The weather people must feel pretty humbled. Businesses closed, schools and colleges closed, and nary a flutter of flurries tickled the earth. Such is life in New England. Sincerely, Susan

Sharon said...

Very enjoyable post. The picutres are great. I'm impressed you know all those birds by sight and sound. I certainly would not. We are bracing for snow here in Alabama tonight but I would not be at all surprised if we had the same kind of storm as you did. And yes, schools are closed tomorrow. I'll have both grandsons if their Mom goes to work. Stay warm and surely spring is coming.
Sharon

trish said...

Love the pictures! I hope the squirrel is careful and not greedy about those nuts! :)

Also wanted to let you know I sent you an email. Hopefully it didn't go to spam! :)

Anonymous said...

Our storm was fizzly too. Pffttt. I think Mother Nature was just tire that day.

The bird / falcon... what a great shot you had. Hope he found a good snack.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Elaine said...

Yes, that storm was quite the non event for us.

Sammy is so cute. He's found a great spot to winter- your yard!

I bought tulips this week too and then this weekend I received tulips
from two people. So I have lots of tulips around here.

Lori said...

Love the tulips. Looks like all of you down south are getting our Northwest winter and we are getting mild temps with rain and not much snow.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Gotta love that Sammy! I love to watch the birds.
Brenda

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

We got plenty of snow for all of us...over 12.5"...in Texas! I love to watch hawks...they're so regal, like lions.

Char said...

So happy to have found your blog. This post is so sweet and I really enjoyed the story. I can't believe the wonderful pictures you captured, just amazing, Char

*Ulrike* said...

I bet Sammy was counting his blessings when that hawk took off!
Ulrike

The Tablescaper said...

Love the tulips. Isn't it amazing how a little bunch can lift our sprits!

- The Tablescaper

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Love the tulips! They look so beautiful. I'm sure your little falcon friend was definitely admiring them!
Patricia :o)