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

The following is from a bird book. Birds have three eyelids-an outer, upper and lower lid and the third eyelid just inside the others. The third eyelid (membrance nictatans) performs the job of cleaning and moistening the cornea. The inner surface is covered with cells which possess brushlike processes, so that the cornea is painted with tears at every blink. Like a windshield wiper, it cleans the undersurface of the eyelid on the return journey of each sweep. Birds blink with their eyelid 30 - 60 times a minute, and usually so swiftly as to be undetected. A large gland under the third eyelid furnishes much of the lubrication for the eye. I have pictures of Hummers when they blink and not. When they blink it looks like an eye problem...Bob