It was a cool, clear dry morning, perfect for birding. I headed for Possum Point, arriving a little after dawn. After checking the point for seabirds, I headed back up the hill, and was treated to a stand off between a Cooper’s Hawk and some crows who didn’t want him in the ‘hood. The hawk was adamant about remaining perched in a large dead tree, and counter-attacked several times before moving to a nearby pine where the harassment continued. He eventually left the area, but the struggle for dominance was a sight to see, and the sort of thing that keeps birders coming back for more. I continued on to Greenbury Point, where I got a few nice shots.
![Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Great-Blue-Heron-46.jpg?resize=584%2C530&ssl=1)
Now that the Ospreys have left, this Great Blue Heron has occupied their nesting platform as a resting spot.
![Turkey Vulture Turkey Vulture](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Turkey-Vulture-16.jpg?resize=584%2C430&ssl=1)
I’ve seen Turkey Vultures in this tree before, but it, too, is usually occupied by Ospreys.
![Ring Billed Gull Ring Billed Gull](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ring-Billed-Gull-9.jpg?resize=584%2C340&ssl=1)
This piling at the tip of the point is almost always occupied by a seabird like this Ring Billed Gull.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-1.jpg?resize=584%2C502&ssl=1)
As I headed up the hill from the point, I heard a loud racket from several Crows, and it quickly became apparent they were mobbing this Cooper’s Hawk, lower left in the dead tree.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-2.jpg?resize=584%2C480&ssl=1)
After taking some distant shots, I crept closer to get a better look. I may not have succeeded had the hawk not been so pre-occupied with the Crows.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-3.jpg?resize=584%2C490&ssl=1)
When I’ve seen hawks mobbed in the past, they have usually been quickly driven off, but this guy elected to attack the Crows. Here, he is heading up to do battle.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-4.jpg?resize=584%2C593&ssl=1)
The Crow recognized the threat, and quickly took off, but not for long.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-5.jpg?resize=584%2C489&ssl=1)
As the Crow left, the hawk banked to return to his perch.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-6.jpg?resize=584%2C431&ssl=1)
The Crows quickly returned and continued their harassment.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-7.jpg?resize=584%2C405&ssl=1)
The hawk attacked once more.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-8.jpg?resize=584%2C329&ssl=1)
He returned to the tree, and here he’s scanning for the Crow’s return.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-9.jpg?resize=584%2C362&ssl=1)
He finally gives me a relatively unobstructed look.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-10.jpg?resize=584%2C258&ssl=1)
The Crows don’t give up easily.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-11.jpg?resize=584%2C668&ssl=1)
A good look from the front.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-12.jpg?resize=584%2C432&ssl=1)
The Crows returned and he attacked once more.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-13.jpg?resize=584%2C360&ssl=1)
The Crows don’t give up easily.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-14.jpg?resize=584%2C464&ssl=1)
Even though they’re of a similar size, the Hawk has no fear of the Crow.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-15.jpg?resize=584%2C337&ssl=1)
The battle continues.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-16.jpg?resize=584%2C743&ssl=1)
The Hawk is running out of patience.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-17.jpg?resize=584%2C732&ssl=1)
Close call!
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-18.jpg?resize=584%2C333&ssl=1)
The Crows are as determined as the Hawk.
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-19.jpg?resize=584%2C517&ssl=1)
I was amazed the battle had continued this long. (8 minutes by this time).
![Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Coopers-Hawk-20.jpg?resize=584%2C605&ssl=1)
Finally, he’s driven off to a nearby tree.
![Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Great-Crested-Flycatcher-43.jpg?resize=376%2C468&ssl=1)
This appears to be a Great Crested Flycatcher.
![Eastern Phoebe Eastern Phoebe](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Eastern-Wood-Peewee-9.jpg?resize=320%2C288&ssl=1)
He’s small and far away, but he appears to be an Eastern Phoebe.
![Eastern Phoebe Eastern Phoebe](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Eastern-Phoebe-4.jpg?resize=516%2C564&ssl=1)
A closer look at our Eastern Phoebe.
![Bay-Bridge Bay-Bridge](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bay-Bridge-21.jpg?resize=584%2C389&ssl=1)
A look at the Bay-Bridge from Possum Point.
![Rock Dove Rock Dove](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Rock-Dove-1.jpg?resize=584%2C417&ssl=1)
I’ve been taking bird pictures for about a year, and this is the first Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) I’ve been in a position to photograph. In fact, I nearly stepped on him.
![Blue Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Blue-Grosbeak-331.jpg?resize=584%2C261&ssl=1)
![Blue Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Blue-Grosbeak-32.jpg?resize=584%2C357&ssl=1)
This Blue Grosbeak will be migrating soon.
![Palm Warbler Palm Warbler](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Palm-Warbler-9.jpg?resize=584%2C326&ssl=1)
I need a remote branch clipper for birds that pose like this Palm Warbler.
![Mockingbird Mockingbird](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mockingbird-31.jpg?resize=584%2C356&ssl=1)
Mockingbirds may be the bird I see most often.