Demise ..........

 ........... of a pigeon  ~  banquet for a female sparrowhawk.  
Maybe a little gruesome for some of you - so possibly don't go large.

Opening the bedroom curtains early this morning something large flew away.  I went down to investigate and found a newly-killed pigeon, surrounded by feathers, on the grass - the head was gone and seed was spilling out of the carcass - I know, probably too much detail this early in the morning.  Sorry.

Luckily it was VERY early and I was able to keep Whisper in the house for a while longer.   He was happy, tucked up in his bed, dreaming doggy dreams!!

About half an hour later I went slowly into the kitchen and there was Sally Sparrowhawk back and continuing what she had started.
   
Back up the stairs for my camera and a stealthy creep into the bedroom to try and get some shots through the glass.   
As always, the bedroom windows were open and, at first click, she looked straight up at me - main photo.
I stood stock-still and waited for her to continue eating then took a few more photos.

Down the stairs, slowly into the kitchen, sidled towards the back door and managed a hundred or more shots from there - three of these in the extras showing different views of her beautiful feathers - she even has a large pigeon feather in her beak in the "back" shot.
   
The quality of the photos from the kitchen are better than the ones from upstairs but I did like "the stare" so that's the main.
  
As mentioned, they were all taken through glass (and not close up to the glass) so quality is a little compromised but it was an exciting way to start the day - never seen a sparrowhawk in the garden before let alone one eating its breakfast.
Half an hour later all that was left were feathers - so I'm assuming she carried off what she didn't eat here.

Some of you very knowledgeable blippers will maybe be able to answer a question ......... do sparrowhawks keep food in a "crop"?  There seems to be a large bulge in her neck.

Sunday morning drama in the BikerBear garden.

~ Anni ~