Thank you Lin!
I think that's the most red I've seen on a red bellied woodpeckers head - ever!
@ the coffee comment. I know the feeling.
Don't ask me to do anything right before I've had at least a full mug of java liberally spiked with sugar. Get yer engines running.
Pam, we have a pair of resident red shouldered hawks who has kids every year and I've seen numerous Cooper's hawks around. I think though what makes a big difference is the acreage and that of the homes in the surrounding area. There are pastures but there are also large areas of mixed hardwood forest on every property. If you took it all as a whole there's probably more treed acreage than cleared pasture or "meadow".
Yes, the female summer tanager is quite different in color than the male. Their backs & wings are much more olive greenish than yellowish. I've seen the females every year and I know there are at least 2 this year b/c I saw them together at the same time. In the 3.5 years we've been living in this home, this is the first year I've seen the male. I was overjoyed to catch him in the birdbath the other day!
