Bird Feeder Raider Busted

[longislandhunter]

Got up this morning, looked out into the backyard and saw 5 squirrels greedily emptying out the bird feeders in their quest for the illusive sunflower seeds they seem to relish so much.  Kinda ticked me off since I just filled the feeders yesterday, but all the seed being spewed onto the ground was being eaten by the birds anyway so I made my coffee and went about my business.

A couple of hours later I'm working down in my workshop on one of my B-3's and decide to take a break, so I head out into the backyard through the basement bilco doors.  I look over and what do I see??? This one squirrel isn't content with the 20 pounds of seed scattered all over the ground, he's trying to enlarge the feeder ports with his teeth.  Well, that certainly isn't go to fly !!

Ran back to the basement, grabbed one of my S1k's, loaded a JSB Exact Express and headed outside.  The little bugger knows what's coming so he high tails it up to the top of this big maple tree and hides.  Well, I got nowhere  to go so I just get comfortable and wait.  About 10 minutes go by and he pokes his little noggin around the branch for a look see.  Last mistake he'd ever make.  

The Exact Express hit him just below the ear with an audible "pop".  He clung on for about 5 seconds then hit the ground stone cold dead.  He's resting comfortably now in my freezer.  Hopefully the other 4 squirrels will get the message and we can return to our mutually agreed upon cease fire.   Took a couple of pics for the scrap book.....

Jeff

[Rixtrix]

Good shooting, Jeff!

Ric G

[Big_Bill]

Real good shot Jeff,

Taught that little sucker who's birdfeeder to play with .

[shadow]

Very nice buddy but I doubt that they got the message. I'm sure they'll be back today thinking one thought,FOOD!. As alway's great shot and pic's, any rabbit's in the yard?. Ed

[longislandhunter]

Hey Ed,

Yeah, I've seen 3 or 4 different rabbits in the yard recently.  I know they're different rabbits because they're different sizes.  The biggest one is huge, it's just that every time I see one I'm unarmed.  

The other cool thing is that we now have a small hawk that hangs around our yard in the mornings and afternoons.  I'm not sure what kind of hawk it is, he's very small, probably about the body size of a small (skinny) pigeon.  He's extremely fast and won't sit still for very long so I haven't been able to get a really good look at him to identify  him properly.  I guess he knows a good hunting ground when he sees it,,,, the yard is full of birds and squirrels pretty much non stop all day.

Jeff

You have to be a Game freak when you say " I grabbed ONE of my s1ks" Lol nice shot Jeff.

Jeff, the hawk you are seeing is an American Kestrel very awesome bird!.

[longislandhunter]

Thanks Yote,, yeah he is pretty awesome.  Extremely fast, swoops down on the birds at the feeders with incredible speed.  If he ever sits still long enough I'd love to get a picture of him.  

JEff

[Silo]

ha, gave him a bloody nose didnt you? good shooting!