For the second time in the past couple of weeks a hawk has come and sit on our patio wall. The one today was not only on the wall but walked around quite a bit on the patio, perched on some patio chairs and I think was looking at itself in the reflection of a window although I couldn't see around the corner far enough to really tell that for sure.
I observed this one for several minutes. Was able to compare my two bird books and I'm confident that it is a Broad Winged Hawk, labeled and illustrated as such in my Readers Digest Field Guide.
Buteo platypterus to be precise, they are listed to be from 13 and a half to 19 inches. I'd say this one was all of 15 or 16. I have no idea if male or female.
Early bed for me tonight, then transplanting some free hostas into my shade garden tomorrow. I always seem to get spring fever in February....knowing all the time that heavy snows do sometimes come in March...and I even sent off an order to Park Seed Co. this weekend. I'm getting READY for my favorite season.