Mississippi Kite

A pair of these beautiful small raptors has nested very close to my home.  The nest is very high up in a very tall tree and if it weren't for the other photographers pointing it out to me, I never would have seen it.  It was nearly impossible to get a shot of the nest, so I was happy when one of the pair perched on a branch in the sun.   This is highly cropped, but you will get the idea.  

It is very unusual to see this kind of bird this far north.  As always, it is better seen in LARGE.