On This Sunny, Cold Morning

I was outside in my winter jacket taking pictures of the juncos in my dilapidated garden.  It was a peaceful scene.  The juncos saw me, flew up, then returned to continue their pecking.  Soon, the calm was over, and all the small birds scattered for cover.  One of the juncos sat in a Saskatoon bush and alerted the others with a distress call.  

The Merlin was in the vicinity and making quite a racket. 

While I was trying to get a better picture, she kept on with her terrible, earsplitting screeches.      

There was a sudden commotion when her mate made a brief appearance.

Eventually, the falcon flew to another tree where I found her quietly perched.