Reluctantly I found myself out on our main deck this AM intent on ice-cubing
marauding squirrels. It was better than most of these occasions - I got to
observe a red barron-like display of amazing aerobatic skills as two crows
chased an unidentifiable raptor diving and dodging at relatively low elevation
(<50') across our yard and amongst neighborhood trees.

An hour or so later I observed a crow uncharacteristically diving at high
speed at the top of a tree in the distance, followed by an aggressive flight off
to the SW. Binocs revealed a large raptor in said treetop. By the time I
had conscripted more bird-savvy family member ("yes, it's a raptor"), here
came 3 or 4 crows, who quickly succeeding in destroying any chance we had at ID
by flushing the (Coopers?) hawk in question.

It's tough to resist the impression that diving crow had run off for
reinforcements after initial unsuccessful dive-harrassment.

Paul Johanson
North Beach, Seattle
_pjgumbo at aol.com_ (mailto:pjgumbo at aol.com)