This morning, the huge dead elm that is a playground for all the hawks
in my yard, attracted
a merlin.  (Second time I've seen one here...the first was last
December.  Remember this yard!)

I've never had an opportunity to watch a merlin so closely.  For
twenty minutes it chased, or
was chased, by eight blue jays and two coopers hawks.  It was a rare
opportunity to compare
the differences in their flight. What an acrobatic flight! Fast,
agile, diving, aggressive.

Eventually, the whole group flew off, the one remaining coopers
trailing the merlin, and the jays
an accompanying choir.

After that, I guess I can just go to work and be content for the day.

Inga Schmidt
Chagrin River Road, Geauga/Cuy Co line

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