August 28, 2023, found Anacortes still suffering from smoke generated by Canadian forest fires,  limiting long distance visibility and casting a pall over scenery.  The smoke had failed to clear on Sunday as forecast, but the temperature was markedly cooler.  In late morning, with a luncheon appointment looming, I decided to spend a little time outside to see if we might have any migrants.  

With only minutes to go before my luncheon appointment, I thought I might have (twice) glimpsed the Cooper’s hawk that had visited the day before, but I couldn’t be sure.  Suddenly the Cooper’s hawk appeared from out of our tangle of trees and landed on a trellis over the garden.  I didn’t have a clear view of the bird but took a photo through a fence.  As I watched I realized that the hawk had a bird in its talons, the first successful capture I had ever witnessed in the yard!  

I was desperate for a better photo but the hawk moved into a fir tree which afforded me no view.  Suddenly I heard a noise and the hawk’s prey escaped (!) and flew directly towards me,  apparently landing at the base of a small pine bush with a tangle of exposed roots.  The accipiter followed it but, fearing it might be something other than one of the many House sparrows we usually have in the yard, I stood and made a noise to dissuade the accipiter.  The accipiter flew a short distance across the yard and landed above one of our water features, giving me a direct, unobstructed view from only about 30′ away!  I took many photos, most of which were largely the same, before the accipiter again made an effort to resume the hunt for its victim.  I again dissuaded it, this time with the water hose. I realize that the accipiter has to eat too, but I would rather it dine on some of the House sparrows that neighbors raise in their yards!  

These photos probably rival or exceed the best accipiter photos I have ever taken!