Birds yesterday

While I think of it - as I walked home yesterday, my mind said, "That sound is new - merlins!"

Then my other mind retorted, "How do you know it's merlins?"

A small hawk came speeding up the strip of sky between the street trees, and I thought, "See? It is a merlin!"

Then my other mind retorted, "How do you know that's a merlin?"

Another one perched in the top of a spruce across the street and let me take a good look. I checked out some pictures just now - definitely a merlin. How did I know? Beats me.

There was an owl calling last evening, too. Great horned, I think.

This evening, not even a sparrow.