UPDATE #4 - 3/17/08

They were back this morning perched on their favorite branch.

UPDATE #3 - 3/13/08

So cool!  We just observed the Red-Tailed Hawk pair going back and forth carrying twigs across on the other side of the woods behind our house.  Must be making a nest time!  I sure wish we could see it.

UPDATE #2 - 3/10/08

 Remember this post?  I'm bringing it to the top of my blog to give an update on "my" hawks.  I saw one land this morning on her favorite branch (see picture below).  I ran downstairs to get my binoculars and got a GREAT view of her in good lighting!  She's definitely a Red-Tailed Hawk!  And guess why I know she's a "she"?  Because right when I was seeing her through the binoculars, her "husband" came too.....let's just say we're going to have some hawk babies soon.  Ewwwww....and Wow, nature!  Guess it was a morning rendevous not two buddies!

UPDATE! ~ March 3rd

The two large birds were back this morning on the very same branch.  Except this time I was looking at them through binoculars at about 6:45am and there was less glare from the rising sun.  And even though I still cannot tell what type specifically, one things for sure, they are definitely HAWKS!  Based on their size, the only type that fits in this area would be the Red-Tailed Hawk. But, I'm not sure.  Anyways, I'm interested to know if it's mating season already and if that's why these two are "hanging out" for dawnlight rendevous, or if they are just buddies up early for the hunt together.

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ORIGINAL POST ~~

At 7:30am this morning I saw this very large bird perched on a tree.  The sun was rising in front of it so I wasn't able to see much more than a shadow of it, even in the binoculars.  There actually was two of them at first perched side by side, but by the time I stepped out on our deck to take a picture, one had flown off.  I secretly was hoping it might be a Barred Owl, but I think the head is too small.  So now I'm thinking it probably was some sort of hawk, perhaps a Red-Shouldered Hawk.  I know the picture doesn't help too much, but what do you think?

We had an absolutely beautiful nature day here today.  The temperatures were in the low 60's, and the sun was out most of the day, beautiful!  We took a really long nature walk at a local park; I will be posting that soon for our next Green Hour Challenge!