Tompkins Square hawk fledgling catches a rat

I was fortunate to have a visit with one of the Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawk fledglings the other day. It appeared on the west side of the park late in the afternoon as it actively hunted for rodents.

Not finding what it wanted on the ground, the hawk flew up into a tree.

I love the alert and curious look it has on its face. The young hawks always look like they're fascinated by everything.

The hawk took a short break to do some sunbathing on a branch.

After a few minutes, it was back to work, and the hawk flew over to the Don Roberts garden where it resumed its quest for rats.

Success!

 

The hawk caught a rat in the garden and flew it across the plaza in front of the Krishna Tree. I was too slow on the shutter button, so this photo is slightly out of focus. The hawk was flying so unexpectedly low and fast, not even the dog in the background had time to react as it flew by. 

Up on a branch in the Krishna Tree, the hawk briefly posed with its dinner.

If you ever wanted to know what a rat tail looks like turned inside-out, well, here you go...

A squirrel (out of frame) startled the hawk, causing it to raise its wings and hackles.

The squirrel proved to be too much of an annoyance, so the hawk picked up its meal and flew it to another tree.

Venturing outside the neighborhood over the weekend, I saw this young red-tailed hawk as it flew along with a flock of starlings.

More to come...

Governors Island Hawks - Part 3

As noted previously, I have a ton of photos of red-tailed hawks on Governors Island that I never posted. Below are a few showing the current adult pair and a couple of their fledglings.

I spent a happy afternoon with one of the young hawks as it explored The Yard playground. 

The playground was closed, so there were no children around while the hawk was in the playground.

The hawk found a piece of something - maybe a sprinkler - and toyed with it a while.

It's so fun to watch young wildlife enjoy the same things young humans do.

This fledgling (left) probably could not believe its eyes when a squirrel scampered past it on a rooftop. Mom hawk (banded 42A on the right) also seemed incredulous to see the squirrel behave so boldly.

I don't think the squirrel saw the adult hawk until it ran past the chimney. Despite taking such a huge risk, the squirrel lived to see another day.

The fledgling hawk decided to chase after the squirrel after all, but its response was way too delayed.

Another fledgling rests on a structure on the parade ground.

This is dad, otherwise known as M2. I call him this as there was a previous male hawk and I don't have a good name for him. Suggestions are welcome!

He's a handsome hawk with caramel-colored eyes.

Both hawk families on Governors Island and in Tompkins Square Park did well this year, with both sets of parents raising three chicks to fledge.

Previously:

Governors Island Hawks - Part 1

Governors Island Hawks - Part 2

 

Butterflies and friends

Late summer, after bird breeding season is done and migration has not yet begun, I like to fill the time looking for insects. Below are a few highlights seen in New York and Florida. 

Painted Lady butterfly: 

Black Dancer damselfly:

Common Buckeye:

Monarch butterfly:

Gulf Fritillary butterfly:

Red Saddlebags dragonfly:

Eastern Amberwing:

Skipper:

Bumblebee:

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly:

Bird Grasshopper:

Female Blue Dasher:

Ceraunus Blue butterfly:

Phaon Crescent butterfly:

Roseate Skimmer:

Green Darner:

Mourning Cloak butterfly:

Duskywing:

Dainty Sulphur butterfly:

Sulphur butterfly: