outside my window this afternoon. No more than 100 feet away.
He landed as some birds do, talons forward, body almost perpendicular and with a quick reverse thrust of his wings.
He perched there for some time.
He surveyed his realm, the forested land to his left, the still lake to his right.
After a while, he began to preen. First scratching the left side of his face and neck with his talons. Then the right talons on the other side. Then he gave his head a vigorous shake.
He swiveled his head to his back and ruffled and pecked at his back.
Then he did the same across his chest.
He sat quietly again, peering about.
Then he started to lean forward, his wings hunching up like a person shrugs, his head was thrust forward, perhaps to take flight.
Then he shat.
Then he straightened back up, gave his tail feathers a vigorous shake and resumed his survey.