The circle of life as seen from our bedroom window

I captured this Cooper’s Hawk* in our backyard today just doing what comes naturally.

* Based on Google. I originally thought this was a red-tailed hawk. But just to be sure, I researched. When I read that Cooper’s Hawks prey on smaller birds, I felt pretty confident in my assessment.

Day 135 – Soaring in the Clouds

I caught this hawk soaring in the sunbeams on my way out to my car yesterday.* Hope you like it.

*I couldn’t post it last night as our internet went out at home.

Mama Hawk

I’ve been watching this nest for a while. Today I saw Mama perched in her nest. I pulled over and grabbed my camera. She stayed in the nest for a bit and then jumped out and gave me a show.

Day 78 – Rock Point Mill

I’ve driven by this spot for years, but desperate for a photo for the day, I stopped here today during my run to the grocery store. Just off Hwy 50, the Rock Point Mill:

Founded in the early 1850s, after gold was discovered in the area, Dayton is one of Nevada’s most historic mining communities. A trip through the town reveals a quaint and historic downtown with a handful of well-preserved buildings.

However, the east edge of town, adjacent to Dayton State Park, is a lesser-known historic site that helps tell the story of Dayton. Nestled in a grove of graceful cottonwoods is the Rock Point Mill, one of Dayton’s oldest remnants of its mining glory days.

Charles C. Stevenson, who was Nevada’s governor from 1887 to 1890, built the mill in 1861. Constructed at a cost of $75,000 (a considerable sum at the time), the mill had 40 stamps that crushed silver and gold ore carried over the mountain from Gold Hill via an elaborate tram system.

I knew none of this when I pulled over to the side of the road to explore. I didn’t have much time, and I’d like to go back and give the place a closer go-over, but here are a few shots from my cursory visit.

There were three hawks flying overhead, but I only managed to get this fellow’s picture.

Detail!

As I mentioned, time was short, so I jumped back in the car to head to the grocery store, but on my way I was distracted by what I thought were more hawks. Nope. Turkey vultures! There was this handsome guy.

Actually, there were three (but just two in this photo).

Day 69 – Hawk in flight

Two hawks have built a nest in a tree right on a busy street (McCarran) in Reno. I discovered this on my way home tonight so I pulled over to snap some photos. I’ll post more tomorrow after I’ve had a chance to really go through them, but for now, here’s the one I like the best. I wish it was in better focus.