Bill Dunson, born in rural Georgia, skipped 12th grade and went directly to Yale. Bill subsequent-ly received a PhD in Zoology from the University of Michigan, studying softshell turtles. Bill is Professor Emeritus of Pennsylvania State University thanks to a career spent entirely at that institution, teaching and doing research on the physio-logical ecology and ecotoxiciology of reptiles, amphibians and fish. Always curious about nature, Bill has dedicated his life to learning and sharing his knowledge with others. He has served on many advisory boards here in Southwest Florida to preserve the water that gives life to our region.

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click here for lager view of the background image    Top inset hawk    Warbler at bath

THERE'S A HAWK IN MY BATH

This time of year in Florida we sometimes hesitate to leave our yard since some really interesting birds are migrating through. We have recently had hooded (see photo) and parula warblers, white-eyed and blue-headed vireos, scarlet and summer tanagers, and today a bizarre visitor to our water bath- a hawk. Now looking at the front view I was a bit perplexed about the identification of this hawk. The streaked breast indicated a juvenile, the moderate size (width of bath is 22.5 inches) and fine streaks a female Cooper's hawk, which was I think confirmed when the bird turned and I could see the tail (see photo). The light gray bands between the darker bands were broad as expected for a Coopers and the tail was long.

This shows how important it is to place water out for birds and how effective it is as a means of attracting them, more so than food in this location. Of course the hawk is finding its food- smaller birds- at the same location.

Bill Dunson
Englewood, FL