Whenever I see a backyard bird quickly freeze in place, like this Downy Woodpecker did in the picture below, I start scanning for the hungry hawk that must surely be around!

Like this Red-shouldered beauty that swooped through the backyard and landed on an upper branch, pausing just long enough for me to fire off a few shots.

He stayed but a moment, and then launched off in search of an easier meal to snare.

But, I heard him exclaim as he flew from the yard, “I’ll be back for a snack so don’t let down your guard!”