It was graceful and determined, occasionally struggling to maintain altitude and fighting the wind with all its might. I wondered what the view was like from up there. Without warning the kite fearlessly dove towards the ground and I winced anticipating a fatal conflict.

I watched with amazement as seconds later the kite reappeared over the tree tops in the distance regaining its composure as it soared back up to the heavens to hover defiantly against the wind once more, doing what it was made to do.

The white-tailed kite looks a lot like a seagull, but slimmer and with a longer white tail. It's actually more like a falcon in body but to people in this area who are more familiar with the popular coastal bird, it probably gets confused with a seagull a lot. The kite is a hunter and hovers in the sky scanning for its prey. Once the victim is in target range, the kite swoops down like a hawk and eats the insect, rodent or reptile it was spotting.

n n n

I drove home and my heart sank when I saw my neighbors in conflict with a transient. The argument was small at first, perhaps a misunderstanding. But the conflict got louder as the trespasser persisted. Soon the residents became outraged because this stranger was insisting on violating their personal space and their children were frightened. I thought about getting involved but I didn't.

I stood there watching, waiting to see if this situation would resolve itself. The homeowners began to realize his ghastly intention was to forcibly enter their home and claim it as his own.

This intruder was clearly not going to give up easily. I watched these parents fearlessly defend their children making harsh, blue-faced threats.

They began to shout at each other and a physical fight ensued. In an instant they found themselves forced to team up against him, relentlessly shouting and physically attacking until he finally left, literally flying down the street. I could hear the kids crying in the house and their mom went in to soothe them while their dad stood watch, not convinced that the intruder was gone for good.

I held my breath watching this scenario unfold and knowing the police could not help the bluebird family in my back yard.

Did you know bluebirds mate for life and that this pretty, delicate little bird will fight to the death to protect its family?

n n n

So now you know, I'm a birdwatcher. I don't wear camouflage clothes and hide in bushes with artificial plants on my hat at five o'clock in the morning and I would never consider myself to be an obsessive bird voyeur.

I do however use my book, "Western Birds" by Roger Tory Peterson, and I like knowing the names of my feathered neighbors.

If you don't already know this, there are hundreds of varieties of beautiful birds here in Santa Clara County.

In my back yard I can identify several species of Finches and Sparrows. We have Junco's with their little black hoods, and I've seen Meadowlarks, Grosbeaks, Chickadees, Larks, Red Headed Woodpeckers, Warblers and Thrushes. We have Mockingbirds and Red-Winged Black Birds. There are also varieties of owls and hawks.

There's so much more going on than observing a robin on a wet lawn looking for worms. Once you get to know their varieties and habits, you'll know where to look for them. There are those that sing and those that hunt. Like people, some eat meat and some are vegetarians. Some fly smoothly, some swoop and dive. They feed and protect their families just like we do.

We have a window in our kitchen that faces an old orchard. We call it, "The farm channel."

On my farm channel I have seen just as much drama as daytime television can provide. New families are constantly moving into the neighborhood, there are issues of diversity and racism. Pecking orders are established and babies are being born, growing up and moving away.

I've heard (songbird) concerts, seen hunting, construction and amazing air shows. It's all there on the farm channel and it's free! Check it out sometime.

Lydia Eden-Irwin and her husband were both raised in Gilroy. They have three children

collectively. Lydia can be reached at edenkid@aol.com.