I?m about 80% sure they were Sharp-shinned. My best look was through screen-wire with them approximately 150 yards distant.
It struck me unexpected that they appeared to be focusing on the clear grassy areas; right now, I suspect they?re targeting voles.
What I found interesting was how they behaved towards each other. They were circling at two different altitudes and one was playfully dive-bombing the other. My first thought was a territorial dispute but the longer I watched the more that impression faded. It seemed to be just simple playing; Ok I have to concede that sort of playing wouldn?t hurt the dive-bombing skills any, but I was left with the nice feeling that even ?bad? birds have a life. They kept this behavior up circling higher and higher until my neck was getting sore from watching.
I have to admit another thought: Maybe that was his wife diving down giving him a thump on the back and saying; See... right there, you missed another one!
