Red-shouldered Hawk
It was a beautiful day here in central Virginia - sunny skies and temperatures close to 80 degrees. I spent the morning working around the house, and by mid-afternoon, I decided to go for a short hike here. I didn't see very many birds on my hike, the most interesting of which was an immature Red-shouldered Hawk.
Red-shouldered Hawk
As I got to my driveway on my return, I saw a Pine Warbler perched directly across the street from my mailbox.
Pine Warbler
And then I saw a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a tree along my driveway. I decided to sit on my back deck and watch the birds, and ended up with 21 avian species for the day.
Female and male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
Purple Finch
As I was about to go inside, an adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew low across my back yard carrying a large animal/bird(?) in its talons, as it was chased into the woods by a couple of Crows. I wasn't able to get a photo of it, but a minute later, a second adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew low across, probably in hot pursuit to share a meal.
Red-shouldered Hawk