Phenomenal picture!! And the bird is just breathtaking! The only place near my house that has these incredible creatures, is infested with Cottonmouths this time of the year.

Thanks - it was a bit of a hunt.... me and the 3 dogs in the forest after a warbler - lol! He stayed waaay up high but at least I was able to get a shot of him! Oh my gosh...... cottonmouths! Those are deadly snakes right? Stay out of those places..... I guess one plus we have here is in the frozen north is a lack of things-poisonous.... but I still would love to be in a warmer climate! Today was beautiful though..... snow almost all gone and ice melting on the pond! Joanne

Wow! What a beuatiful shot!

Ooops! Typo: that should be beautiful shot!

Yes, Cottonmouths are VERY venomous snakes! I have pictures of them that I took, but this being a birding website, I won't post them. I wish that I didn't have to stay out of there. I got to see Common yellowthroats, Sora rails, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and tons of other interesting things! It drives me crazy when I have to have a bird spotter, and a snake spotter! The warmer temperature is nice here. One time, it was 70 degrees in the morning, and snowing by the afternoon!! That's St. Louis for you!

Oh I would love to see the pics of the cottonmouths..... I'll send you my e-mail address - cool ! Lol - we often get extreme temp. variations too.... in fact it's supposed to snow again tomorrow.... wah! Joanne