I have noticed several of mine disappeared, too, Lisa. The red wasps seem to fly in and around the fennel plants a lot! I think this will end once their larvae morph into adults, or so I've been told. Because we don't use chemicals to eliminate pests in the garden, there are lots of critters, beneficial and predatory on the caterpillars. I have to just look at it as the balance of nature....or, I'm trying anyway, LOL! Actually, I would rather they get the cats than me! Yikes! Sorry to say that, but it's true. Susan

Thank you so much! Spring migration keeps me so busy taking more photos, I've been getting far behind. Every time we stop by the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery we see something different 4-25-10, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Solitary Sandpiper From April 23, 2010 birds plus we spent the weekend camping and birding at the Kentucky Ornithological Society's spring meet at Jenny Wiley State Park, so tons MORE photos to sort, edit

It looks from here to be a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, as already stated. The tail on Accipiters is long with wide bands, and this bird has that. As for the differences between Accipiters, juvenile Cooper's Hawks have fine brown chest streaks that usually come short of the belly, and this bird has that. So, good call.

It's what I wish I could say it was, but that would be a once-in-a-lifetime sighting and the odds are highly against it. Let's say it did look exactly like the photos I have seen of them, except I do believe the bird I saw was smaller than they are described. Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy for considering that possibility.