Today's Weather in Your Garden - 19

Yesterday when I was outside I heard a screech of a hawk. I looked up and some bird - looked like a crow, was harassing the hawk! It went on for minutes. The bird was actually intimidating the hawk. I couldn't believe it. What a wimpy hawk!

That's normal behavior between crows and hawks, Victor, I think it's called mobbing? I can't remember why this happens - it could be just competition. The noise they make while doing it it crazy! There must be one of the birders who can give us the low-down for the behavior.

Organized crime is even involved with birds?!! Seriously, why does the more powerful, fierce, hawk tolerate it?

Pixie, will you be able to grow that beautiful garden without a fence? I hear you don't have any deer up there...my MIL (who I am going to visit this weekend) doesn't have a fence either. No deer, but a occasional Moose! Down here, you'd need a fence with razor ribbon and broken beer bottles on the top to keep Bambi out. (Edit: this is a joke!!)

Victor: You rattled me so much asking me how I keep the critters out that today, that I had some chicken wire dug about 9' down around the perimeter of the back of the veg/cutting garden. Not the whole way, since I have some privet growing on some parts of the fence. See what you do to me?

Doc: you are so right about no pathegens in Pixie's garden. Unlike the "organic" spinach that was so tainted a year or so ago from California. That was due to forced corn-fed production steers that cause a dangerous e. coli to grow in the intestines of those agri-business cows. Unlike the nice country poop from up in Maine.

This message was edited May 7, 2008 5:28 PM

Sorry, Daisy! But it's a good move. Was that the reason for the spinach problem? I think lack of inspectors must have played a role as well.

I saw crows after hawks yesterday too, and it was the noise that made me look up. Took a couple pics, but they aren't too good, too far away. I've seen it with other birds too. Not sure if they are protecting young, but it is usually more smaller birds after the one larger one.

This was only one against one.

Crows and hawks both eat other birds. The crows are opportunistic predators, the hawks depend more on speed and eyesight. I think crows are more considered more 'intelligent' but certain hawks do grow large enough that I doubt they would be intimidated by a crow... unless it is 'mobbed'. ☺

But that's exactly what was taking place. One crow (I am pretty sure it was a crow) and one hawk, who was much bigger than the crow.

Gorgeous day! 71 right now.

Must have been a wimpy hawk... ☺

I was certainly making fun of him. The pigeons in the city were much tougher.

City pigeons!

And they taste like chicken...

They're not too tough?

Victor, the Supervisors are not exactly considered a threat to most critters. Might I point out to you that they prefer a comfy velvet pillow than chasing varmints? Except that little Rosebud is actually quite a hellion when she gets riled. My big boy would let the rabbits do the can-can on his head if it meant a meal.

I finally took some pictures and put together an album of my spring garden to date with all the bulbs going bonkers. I haven't labelled everything yet. Sorry. Enjoy. http://picasaweb.google.com/bbrookrd/SPRINGGARDEN2008

I got my coop roses today, but decided to wait until tomorrow to plant them, so I will be out very early to get them done before catching the noon steamship. I hope to meet up with Carrie on Tue at the Arnold Arboretum to smell the lilacs. Anyone want to join us? Before noon, not sure exactly yet. Weather doesn't sound great, but could be. I'll be positive. "Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 50s". D-mail me, if so. Patti

Ha ha - I was actually responding to your comment about the organic spinach problem. Funny about the dogs, though. I always say my cat would kill an intruder - with affection!

Here's a pic of the crow and hawk.

Cool pic, Deb! Very nice slide show, Patti. Took a long time to load but was worth it. Looks like all the work paid off - looks great! However, I only counted 6450 bulbs...

omg, what a scream, I thought you were talking about the dawgs.

Daisy, we're on a roll today! First the mushrooms, now the dogs!

Patti--your pics blew me away--I've been to Botanical gardens that weren't as nice! And how did you get all those pics on---I can just about do one! Victor & Deb--smaller birds chasing large hawks is a common sight--I don't believe those hawks--like the redtails--eat birds. The Coopers are the bird eating ones, & they're small & fast. The larger hawks don't maneuver well--crows will also harrass owls as well, but the owls get bird's eggs when it's dark. Worked in the gardens weeding today--the weeds were doing a little victory dance--they know the've won!

it's true, Victor. They are the Garden Supervisors, so I just made the leap.

BTW, I just heard from the WIFE of the mycologist (who is a major garden writer) and she affirms that doc's pix is a morel. And the fact that he found it in an old apple field...that's exactly where people say there are many morels...

what thread was that? I want to tell Doc

Patti, very nice, I love your paths

Daisy, I just searched for the thread for at least five minutes and can't find it! What a weird day.

I see crows harashing hawks often, but this takes the cake.

http://iwishicouldfly.com/iwishicouldfly/journal/html/053007.htm

thanks, robin, flowerjen, and victor(even if you can't count) Patti

Okay, Daisy - it's the 'baby pictures' thread.

Temp 59.3°, Wind S 1.2 mph. ☺

Patti, that is awesome!

Some wind, WC!

... it's from the South. ☺

Nine hours of bliss in the garden today and I did notice those winds, WC!

Wow - you're a gardening animal, Pirl!!

Victor, it was the smell!
Daisy,
I do have deer but they don't come close enough to the house to bother my gardens. Besides, I have 4 dogs, and 2 hunters in the house.

Patti your gardens are beautiful!!

Sunburn! ☺

Pixie, they will be even nicer with some of your dirt. I have had deer on our deck snacking on container plants. Lucky you. Patti

Celest, please lend me a couple of dogs, or one hunter.

Maybe a hawk? ☺

I prefer the crows.

oh speaking of a hawk... I shot this with my phone today