I'm not a wildlife expert, but since north central Kansas doesn't have an abundance of it, the stuff I see in the forest here really gets me excited. I saw one of these regal winged beasts the other day. (a Cooper's Hawk) I made the "schwee-wee-schwee" noise thing that I've heard bird watchers making when I saw him. He cocked his head to the side and considered me for a while, then I guess he decided I wasn't as interesting as I sounded at first and he glided off. Back in town I've seen (and heard) a lot of Northern Mockingbirds. They are cute little birds, but man they make some annoying sounds, and the real problem is that they often sing at night, and they are loud and rowdy. Trish said she heard one imitating a car alarm the other day. That's the saddest thing I've heard in a long time. Yesterday at the park I met a fine 4 foot long black snake. He didn't take off full speed, but got on a pile of leaves and shook his tail, making a rattling sound. I wonder if that defense skill ever works for them. Anyway, here's some animal pictures.