This cute little bird has been fairly elusive in terms of my getting a good picture of it but this morning, I got lucky. It was fairly close and in pretty good morning light. Check out the back claw. It is so long but it helps this bird climb up and down tree bark in search of its prey.

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This is a male owing to the red mustache which is absent in the female. It is amazing how much wood flies out of the hole when it starts excavation work!

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Does anyone have a clue as to what prey this hawk has in its talons?

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They are back! First pair that I spotted in the marsh this spring.

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