You're right on the money regarding the ID of the hawk. It is an immature
Red-shouldered Hawk based on shorter tail (relative to collapsed wings)
and more bulky body than a Cooper's Hawk while smaller and more distinctly
barred tail than a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.

Cheers,
Frode Jacobsen
Windsor Mill, MD 21244
http://www.flickr.com/photos/frodejacobsen/



> Hi All,
>
> After checking for nests around the Elkridge area yesterday morning with
> Brian Sykes i picked up mom for lunch and birding for  the rest of the day
> . We started at the Cedar hill cemetary in Brooklyn park as ive been
> checking there for WW Crossbills ( none here ) . Ive also been hoping to
> get a photo of a bird on top of a gravestone which i was lucky enough to
> finally get . Im calling it a juvenile RedShouldered Hawk after looking at
> the field guide even though i wanted to call it Coopers because i believe
> it to be long and slender not short and stubby . guess the rule does not
> always apply . or maybe im wrong . Heres link to photo
> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3340744981_574bf09bd3_b.jpg
> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3341535172_6c77dcd3fb_b.jpg
>
> After dinner at the Stoney Creek Inn we hurried to Southwest Area park for
> another try for the Woodcock show . Weve  tried at least  10 times at
> UMBC , SWAP , and Race road since the 2007 season. So not knowing all this
> other news of the weekend Woodcocks  we went straight to the boat ramp and
> i walked up the hill to the open area between 7-730 . The only thing i
> seen fluttering up there was the Bat that was trying to take my head off .
> I hurried back to the car with my jacket over my head hoping  to get out
> before being locked in .After leaving the parking area we heard some
> noises so i stopped and turned off the car . PEEEEEEENNNTTT    !!!!!! We
> got to watch the mating ritual and listen to PEENTS for about 15 minutes
> then while doing a drive thru of the ballfield and shining my bright
> lights all around i disturbed a guy standing there all alone which I think
>  made him decide to leave . We sat there for a minute while my mother was
> saying hear that ,
>  hear that , at which i couldnt hear that so we headed out to the closed
> gate. After letting myself out the guy caught up to us so i asked him if
> he was looking at Woodcock and he said yes he was part of the group who
> had already left. So there were actually 2 Woodcocks parties going on .
> !!!!!!!! Great Day !!!!
>
> Saundra Byrd
> 
> baltimore
>