The Culprit and Its Effect

[Birdsong]

This is the culprit X-T mentioned. He has become a fairly frequent visitor.

This is his apparent effect on my feeding population:

[DuckDog]

Great Pictures!

[MN Shutterbug]

That is an awesome SS Hawk shot. I love it. It's more than just a portrait. It really shows the reality of nature, cruel as it may seem.

[mmeyer]

That is a great shot of the hawk. It's too bad he's not a welcomed visitor always.

[Steve Foss]

Excellent, Birdsong!

I wish they had a preference for house sparrows.

[JayinMN]

Wow! Sweet shot of the hawk.

[finnbay]

Simply amazing shots!

[jonny_redhorse]

After looking at that hawks eyes....I think any bird would be so scared ,it would die of fright!...Lol!....drop over like that cardinal!

[Birdsong]

Excellent, Birdsong!

I wish they had a preference for house sparrows.

Actually, he does at my house--sparrows and house finches. I have no idea what that poor cardinal was doing. I was trying to get his picture because he appeared ill. Didn't notice this position until I read the CF card. Awful picture, couldn't resist the behavior. Now if I could only train the hawk to enjoy squirrels, all would be well.

[Nymph]

Great Shot on that Hawk.

[MARINERMAGNUM]

Incredible job!

[Dbl]

Cool! Nice work.

[Jim Almquist]

That is a very cool shot. If you could just train the to take out a few Grackles as well

[Steve Foss]

Heck, that could be a new source of income for Birdsong. A sharp-shinned hawk she could rent out to scour the neighborhoods of grackles, starlings and house sparrows.

[Dotch]

A few years back, I had a house sparrow trap in the front yard. A sharp-shinned hawk went absolutely nuts one afternoon trying to get at the captives. Had to move it because I didn't want the hawk to get hurt. Not long after that they started picking sparrows off in front of the barn. Made my day!