Celery Farm Marsh Warden Emeritus Stiles Thomas called to point out a strange phenomenon detailed in the above photo from Page L-3 of the Wednesday, Dec. 28, editions of The Record.

First, Stiles pointed out that the bird in question is almost certainly not a falcon -- he thinks it is more likely a young Red-shouldered Hawk.

More curiously, he notes that the hawk has bluish legs, very much like a photo that I took of an injured Red-shouldered Hawk several years ago (it's on Page 9 of "Survival: The Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale)."

Stiles wonders whether these hawks get bluish legs when they go into shock.

Your input would be most welcome.

I have e-mailed the photographer, the most excellent Tyson Trish, for other photos of Wednesday's raptor for ID purposes.