I love a lot of trees, always liked the big Norway maples. I'll transplant it in January when it is dormant. Don't really have even an inch anywhere for another tree unless it likes very wet standing water -- not the Norway. But will look for a spot. Did plant a Weeping Crabapple, molten lava, but it's at the far end of the yard. Will have to transplant that newbie crabapple in January too. Wonder what type it is? But the hawthornes .... drats .... no place for them, will have to dig them up in January and sneak them somewhere to plant. THANK YOU FOR THE IDs !!!

The swallowtail kites are not likely after your baby mockers, earlybird. They eat on the wing and usually eat large insects, small snakes, lizards and things they snatch out of the treetops. They are without a doubt my favorite bird of prey, having the most beautiful markings and expressive faces of any, to my mind. And here is a shot of a STK eating...something GREEN...while flying. (Hopefully a Cuban treefrog!) Your wood stork photos are beautiful! Magnificent big ol' birds! Ya gotta love 'em! And brown thrashers are very common throughout most of the state. They are first cousins to mockingbirds. But many people never notice them, and since they don't normally come to feeders, they can be overlooked. (Mine have been coming to my feeders, however, ever since I started to use a mix with fruits and nuts in it.) Marcia

Thanks, BN. The sunset reflected off the heron made me unsure of which kind it was. I see the Great blues here in NE Illinois quite often - look like missiles shooting through.

brit5467, I lived in Mathews when I saw one in Va. I also lived in Glouchester, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Hampton, Lightfoot. I lived in Va a long time, originally from there. Anyway, he came back yesterday, morning and late afternoon. I am going to try to get a better picture to post. Thanks again everyone for the ID.