Ann, this might help: Years ago, I lived in a tiny cottage behind a big house, with fields behind. We had a terrible hot spell, and a black snake (though probably not the same as a Tennessee snake) got into the cottage and took up residence between the metal shower stall and the wall (I discovered this while taking a shower, but I'll say no more about that...). My mother took to calling me on the phone and saying, "And how is Mr. Snake today?" And, of course, after she did that there could be no killing - I would see his little head poking out from his nook behind the shower, and I would be hopelessly anthropomorphic... So just try to think of them as Mr. Snake (or, of course, Mrs. Snake), and maybe you will feel more kindly towards them.

Feather, I'm also into photography. (Altho you can't tell it by the photos I am posting on this forum!! LOL) I just got a new zoom lens and I'm learning how to use it now. I hope to get lots of GOOD photos of birds, someday soon! I'm sorry you suffer from carpal tunnel. I have it too, but mildly enough that I can still draw. I'm planning on doing some bird drawings with graphite pencil, colored pencil, and water color. Those are my mediums of choice these days (I gave up oils and acrylics years ago). Did you do your artwork from photos or just from memory? I have to have a model or photo or I can't seem to get things right and I doubt that I can get a bird to sit still long enough to draw it! LOL Re: the hawks Thanks so much everyone for your input. I'm just not sure. I have seen photos of juvie red-tailed hawks that had lots of spots on their backs. To me the eyes don't look as hooded as the eyes of a red-shouldered hawk, but I would have to bow to your opinions because I've never seen one in person, just going by the photos I've seen! I'm on the lookout for more hawks...there's just something so cool about the raptors!!

Hi Gail I have not been on in a while, so glad that your hawks are bonding...such a nice site to see... My RT's have moved down the street I do not see them as often but they do still come around...they are building the nest elsewhere as I have observed them carrying sticks .. This winter I have not been out much with my Hubby being sick I have been otherwise occupied....but things are looking up and I have started getting out and can not wait until spring and watching the RT's is a sure sign....will keep you posted...hopefully the pair will be successful this year...Claire

This bird, an immature, has lost several feathers from the molt. It has lost two tail feathers through the molt, and notice the gaps in the wing feathers. Those are molted out. Notice also that one tail feather is starting to descend in the adult, red form. As a falconer specializing in red-tails, I'm certain that this bird has lost only one or two tail feathers from non-molting causes, probably from trying to capture a larger animal. The bird will survive. It learns quickly how to fly with these missing feathers. All is well. The hawks here in Ohio are a few weeks or more away from the molt. Your bird also has dark markings. I presume that this is a bird from the south and west.