Cooper’s Hawk   Accipiter cooperii by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. What penetrating eyes we see! This immature Cooper’s Hawk blends in with the Live Oak tree and waits, keeping watch in all directions, for any ready prey. When we built our house amongst these unique twisting oak trees on the St. Sebastian River, we did…

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The Black-necked Stilt   Himantopus mexicanus by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Father stands vigilant, ready for action, to protect his young downy chick who cautiously explores the limits of the mud flat. Parents peck, jab, or sweep with their slightly recurved bills to plunge under water and, probe through mud to snatch aquatic invertebrates, fishes,…

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