You'll probably have much better luck posting a request for IDs along with pictures (embedding the pictures in the post would help) in the Name That Plant Forum. Here's a link to that forum... Here is a link that might be useful: Name That Plant Forum

It would help to see a picture of the entire plant or, at the least, a description of the entire plant. The 6th (I think) image -- darkish leaves -- may be a flowering crabapple. And consider posting in the Name that Plant Forum http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/namegal/ Here is a link that might be useful: images

I cannot really help on this one.May be a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Luc

>>Shanachiel, it's the "Dorothy" rule of birding (from the >>>Wizard of Oz : ) Ok, what does that mean exactly? LOL No place like home? If only a Snowy Owl and saw whet would show up and a barn owl take up residence in my barn, I'd be quite content! What's interesting is we are about 20 miles east of the Hudson River but there are extensive wetlands in the area...I saw a bald eagle flying east away from the river one morning several years ago and never forgot that sight- the wingspan - wow! Sometimes Golden Eagles winter just north of me at a glacier pond but I don't think there have been any sightings yet this season. I tried on numerous occasions to try to see them last winter. Guess I am really hooked now! I'm definitely going to be spending more time at that swamp..... If you back out of the eagle photo page, you'll enter my main bird gallery from an afternoon at the Hudson Valley Raptor Center. Several of their resident rehabbed birds (who are used to being "on display" for educational purposes) are presented for a photo op. To be able to get fairly close and look in to their eyes..... Here is a link that might be useful: HUDSON VALLEY RAPTOR CENTER