lynneo's Favorites

This Red-shouldered Hawk splashed and preened in the pond like it was a birdbath. He or she stood on one wall for a few minutes, then got in and splashed around, got out on the other side, got back in and splashed, then went back to the first side. The featured photo shows the feathers suddenly held close, creating a slimmer appearance than just a moment before. The fifth and sixth photos show the nictitating membrane (third eyelid).

After this extravagant bath, the Hawk perched in a nearby dogwood and then a pine tree, scanning the pond area and surrounding woods for at least 45 minutes. I've never seen such a large bird in the pond.