Belted Kingfisher flying

We spend a lot of time stalking the belted kingfishers around here. Today was a real team effort in the boat. There was one flying around us. Chris is more inclined to wait for a perfect shot, but with Mike's prompting of "just get it in flight" and with his spinning of the boat while Chris had the camera, we got some action shots today. We didn't even know we were interrupting its dinner until we saw these pictures on the big screen.

Cooper's Hawk...Immature by misseymarie Butler NJ

I took this picture on August 31, 2008. I believe this is a immature (because of the color of the eyes) Cooper's Hawk , it has stopped by a few times and stays for about 10 minutes or so. The picture was taken in Butler NJ by misseymarie. I'm thrilled that I found this site. I'm new at backyard birding and your site will help me ID birds that visit our backyard.

Female Downy Woodpecker at Suet Feeder

Mike photographed a female downy woodpecker at the suet feeder this morning. If you look closely, you can see its tongue. The Hilton Pond website in South Carolina contains more info on the the amazing woodpecker tongue and pictures too (see below). Did you know that the woodpecker tongue is barbed and that the flicker's tongue is 5 inches long?

Please don't try this at home.