Not often do I get to bird from my Belltown apartment, but on Friday a
strange call outside brought me to my window, where I spotted a small falcon
standing atop an apparently dead pigeon. Since sharpies have been known to
hunt around here, I assumed that's what it was. Exciting enough, until my
Sibley guide nailed the bird as a juvenile peregrine.

The bird tore away for over 45 minutes right in the alleyway behind my
building. After too much disturbance from pedestrians and the occasional car,
he/she dragged its meal under a fence to a narrow courtyard off the alley.
>From my window, I had an incredible view, probably the closest I will ever
get to bask in the beauty of this formidable predator.

Once full, the bird flew up to a tree on Fourth Avenue, where two crows
spotted him/her and began to assert themselves. I watched one crow break off
a twig from the leafless twig, and, knowing how intelligent they are, fully
expected the crow to start wielding the stick like a sword to rid the
neighborhood of this interloper. But no, it merely dropped the twig to the
ground. then pulled out another, then another, dropping each one. Anyone see
such behavior before? I also observed the crows pecking away small chunks of
bark.

Altogether a thrilling excuse to be away from the computer for an hour.

Julie Monahan
Seattle, WA