Happy holiday weekend! For those spending the long weekend in Tompkins Square Park, look out for the three hawk fledglings who are getting more confident as they improve their flying and hunting skills. They have been learning their hawk skills quickly, and I saw one successfully catch a pigeon earlier in the week.
If they come to the ground, be mindful and give them space. All of my photos are taken with a 400mm telephoto lens, and are cropped.
Generally, I've found most people to be respectful of the hawks, but there have been issues this year with unleashed dogs chasing them in the grass. At this age, the young hawks haven't learned to fear danger, and their tolerance of people can make them vulnerable.
This fledgling on a fence attracted a lot of attention, but people were cool with it and enjoyed its presence from a respectable distance.
Meanwhile, its sibling snacked on a pigeon in the grass.
After bathing in a puddle, this hawk perched in a tree to dry its feathers.
I can't really tell the three fledglings apart. I've been seeing two hang out together while the third is more independent, but I can't always be sure I'm looking at the same two, or if they switch positions. All three have been staying pretty close together, and both parents have been spending a lot of time with them within the park.
Stretching:
The fledgling appears to be totally relaxed, hanging out in a tree with its leg stretched out.
These two spent some quality time together in a tree over the main lawn.
Stretching out that tail and a wing:
I wish I could do this with my neck...
This fledgling flies up to a tree branch, screaming at Mom, who was waiting there.
The whole hawk family has been doing really well and it's great to see so many people excited by them. They bring some welcome positivity to our days. More to come...
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