Not only are the eagles back from their salmon feast at the mouths of various rivers… but we have also seen a few hawks, who are visiting our neck of the woods.
About a week ago, I saw this young hawk, hanging on to the perch tree out front, on a very windy day. I think it’s a juvenile red-tailed hawk (buteo jamaicensis). But I could be wrong.
Then, two days ago, we noticed an adult, perched in the big fir on the bluff, over the water, checking out the snack possibilities.
Maybe they are related…
Red-tailed hawks are often perched on the light standards of Pat Bay Highway, between Sidney and Victoria. On one particular trip, I counted seven along the highway. I wasn’t driving, that day (smile).
As for the apples: I found them on the ground, below a lovely and huge apple tree that must have been on the spot, in Thompson Park, for close to a century. The apples had a fearsome nest of defenders… Any attempt at harvesting those apples will have to be undertaken with protective gear.
And the horse chestnuts: I just love their texture, although I did stab my hand trying to get a couple of them off the tree! Below: the beach at Thompson Park. Nice spot to sit and enjoy an apple, freshly picked.
The landscape on the bench in front of the sandstone bluffs is very rural in feeling. Below, a view of the 
Now, I am back at home, hunting for interesting patterns to deal with all that luscious wool. And plotting to go back and raid the apple tree…