http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag111/BaileySantwire/20130831_171851_zps77665d87.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag111/BaileySantwire/20130920_164721_zps32fd01c1.jpg

Sam, Clement, Resin and bboy, thank you very much for your answers. All three P. menziesii should be of almost exactly the same age. Is it a possibility that genetic variances between them caused one's bark to mature faster? It is quite likely that the third one is P. pinaster since that tree used to be planted on small scale for forestry around where I live. Thank you for the compliment, Sam. :) Taxus baccata is a conifer which is wild growing here anywhere; presumably because of its extensive use for hedges. Close to the one I found were numerous "normal" (single coloured, dark green ones) so this one catched my eye immediately. This one has smaller, more sickle shaped leaves which are green on the inside and bright-yellow across their edges. This post was edited by liopleurodon on Fri, May 17, 13 at 5:23

Its mostly likely a Juvenile Cooper's Hawk, they mainly eat birds. The juveniles in particular seem to be attracted to the commotion of a feeder. While full grown ducks are not usually targeted, they are at risk. Coopers are known to kill other big birds like chickens and pheasants. There was a recent special on Crows on PBS with researchers tagging crows with radio transmitters. Some of the transmitters ended up at the back in a Coopers nest. In the midwest, their favorite food is doves, but will eat anybird that visits your feeders. A couple of weeks ago, I saw one chase a finch and catch it after several figure eights through the trees. It was very impressive to see such a big bird chase a little bird and catch it.

I should have known-I'd never seen one up close or from that angle. It was really big. Thanks.