We traveled to a Greater Sage Grouse Lek east of Bend yesterday.  When we arrived in the general area we found many Horned Lark, a Red-tailed Hawk that we initially identified as Rough-legged Hawk, two American Kestrel, and a few Common Raven, but no Greater Sage Grouse.  

We decided to stretch our legs and walk one of the many trails around the Lek before heading back.  Thankfully we picked a good trail and ended up with great looks at several Sage Thrasher, and one very brief look at lone male Lesser Goldfinch.  Our look at the Goldfinch was brief because just moments after we were had it in clear view, an accipiter made a sudden appearance from just a few yards behind and over our left shoulder. The Goldfinch narrowly escaped. And while the chase was short, it lasted long enough for me to reorient and get the camera up for a few shots of the aggressor before it disappeared over a nearby ridge.  This is the third time this year that Jill and I have had encounters with small raptors either taking or attempting to take prey just a few yards away from us - today we estimate that we were less than 50 feet from most of the action - and at one point, we were within 10 feet of the accipiter as it made a tight turn. 

On our return to the car we had the pleasure of bumping into Bob and Judy Bender.  When I told Bob that I thought we had seen a Rough-legged Hawk, he suggested that would be a good bird given the late date - his observation led me to look closely at my pictures and ultimately correct my identification. 

Horned Lark

Lesser Goldfinch

The species is Accipiter - But is it a Sharp-shinned Hawk or is it a Cooper's Hawk.

This bird's low angle of attack, ultra-tight turns, squarish looking tale and relatively large sized eye placed centrally in its head, and course streaking on its belly, all lead me to think the bird pictured below is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. 

But the seemly long-length of its tail, leading edge of the wing (wrist) that did not seem to protrude beyond its head while in flight, apparent contrast between the color of the nape and back, and the relatively slow wing-beats while not in chase lead me to think this was a Cooper's Hawk.

The only bad news about this encounter is that this might be the 10th time I've had to ask for help with this identification. 

Sage Thrasher

Me photographing the Sage Thrasher by Jill

Looking w. across the Lek located in the flat area in right of the frame