WBW - Hawks and Flickers

I'm starting my post with what I believe is a Red Tailed Hawk.

There were actually 3 of them but this was the only one that got close enough to photograph.

Even with my 500mm he was way up there and it was a challenge to get him in to focus,

I swear I quit breathing I was so intent on catching him on "film"

I had to stop for a minute to concentrate on breathing or I would hve fallen over.

They were making alot of noise and in this last one he's in the middle of one of those calls,

I was lucky I clicked at just the right moment.

Earlier the same day I was out watering flowers and I heard the distinct voice of a Flicker.

I dropped the hose and high tailed it in the house to get my camera!

I've seen and heard the flickers around but this is my first picture.

I wish this dead tree in my neighbors yard was just a little bit closer.

At first they were to the left in the branches and I couldn't see them,

then they moved to this dead tree.

They were making lots of cooing and kissing noises, obviously talking about going steady!

The picture below was the only one I caught of them dancing around,

the one on the bottom was swaying back and forth

the one on the top spreading it's tail feathers and I caught both behaviors!!!!

Kristi