There is a real nip in the air today, and the clouds are dark and wet with blue patches jigsawing in between. After feeding tonight I was looking out the front window and saw Rocket (my black bay Jr Stallion) charging around the front pasture like a demon was on his tail.
He would run full tilt a couple laps and then trot into his feeding area snorting and prancing only to spook and bolt away again for a couple more rounds. I was puzzled at first until I caught a flash of brown and black over near his feed bucket. I then heard that familiar piercing complaint that I have learned to know well... a red shouldered hawk! The sound was punctuated by a Raven's irritated caw. I realized that 2 Ravens were busy harassing a hawk that they felt had settled too close into their chosen spot... which was feeding on the grain scraps which Rocket had spilled onto the ground during dinner.
The hawk would move about 2 tree limbs away as the indigo winged pursuers swooped down hoping to intimidate without becoming lunch (although this is unlikely as the Red Shoulder is not much bigger than a large Raven itself). The Hawk remained annoyed but unimpressed and suddenly I saw another brown flash come in fast from my peripheral vision. It slammed into the roosting hawk with a flurry of feathers and screams... ANOTHER red shouldered hawk! The second hawk was apparently taking advantage of his distracted rival in order to make a point... talons and beaks agape, the first hawk hung by a talon for a moment before letting go of the interloper (who clearly had the upper hand - or talon-) and half fell, half flew away...
The Ravens wisely kept back during the weapon play and the victor proudly stood upon the limb he had won. The other hawk gone, the ravens now quickly went about harassing the NEW hawk until he had moved far enough away to their liking! Rocket was quite upset about the entire thing... being a rather faint of heart stallion! So I brought him into his paddock early and reassured him that Mommy would not let Raven nor Hawk feed upon him...
I never tire of the variety of wildlife here and have a very special bond with my lovely and acrobatic Red Shouldered friends as well as my Hitchcock-esque black winged Ravens. As for Rocket, he was simply very glad that Mommy is around to rescue him from all the drama around here that he wishes to NOT have any part of!
