While one of the Tompkins Square hawk fledglings was showering over at the swimming pool, its sibling decided to frolic in the sprinkler behind the park offices.
Let's play!
Note the big stick in the photos above - it made the perfect hawk toy.
After playing with the stick for several minutes, the hawk settled in for a thorough shower.
When a hawk shakes, it creates rainbows!
Also check out Urban Hawks, who has some beautiful hawk shower photos.
Join us as we chronicle the lives of East Village red-tailed hawks, Christo, Amelia, and Dora, as well as other New York City wildlife.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Bathing in rainbows
Allow me to introduce Hawk and her Rainbow...
Magic!
Another sweltering summer afternoon in Tompkins Square drove this fledgling hawk to seek relief in the waterfall that was created by run-off from the swimming pool.
Ahhhhhhh....
Shake, shake, shake...
After her shower, the hawk briefly posed for admirers atop the fence next to the swimming pool.
She then moved to a light pole near the entrance to the basketball courts to dry off.
A few shakes, and she was off to return to the shady trees.
More to come...
Magic!
Another sweltering summer afternoon in Tompkins Square drove this fledgling hawk to seek relief in the waterfall that was created by run-off from the swimming pool.
Ahhhhhhh....
Shake, shake, shake...
After her shower, the hawk briefly posed for admirers atop the fence next to the swimming pool.
She then moved to a light pole near the entrance to the basketball courts to dry off.
A few shakes, and she was off to return to the shady trees.
More to come...
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Snack time, bath time
On a blazing hot Sunday, there wasn't much to do except stay in the shade of Tompkins Square. Christo and two of his kids spent several hours relaxing in the trees behind the park offices.
Christo:
But, the kids had to eat, which meant work for dad. I've still yet to see any of the fledglings catch, kill and eat prey on their own. On this day, Christo brought a mouse into a tree and let the two fledglings compete for it.
The winner:
Check out the way the feathers on the hawk's face contort to make it look like some ancient creature.
Looking prettier:
Despite one fledgling claiming the mouse, there wasn't any animosity between the siblings. They still often perch together.
One of them decided to beat the heat by plopping down in a puddle at the water fountain.
The young hawk wasn't phased at all by this bike that whizzed by.
As it was so hot, the hawk would not be scared away from its pool so easily.
More summer hawk action to come...
Christo:
But, the kids had to eat, which meant work for dad. I've still yet to see any of the fledglings catch, kill and eat prey on their own. On this day, Christo brought a mouse into a tree and let the two fledglings compete for it.
The winner:
Check out the way the feathers on the hawk's face contort to make it look like some ancient creature.
Looking prettier:
Despite one fledgling claiming the mouse, there wasn't any animosity between the siblings. They still often perch together.
One of them decided to beat the heat by plopping down in a puddle at the water fountain.
The young hawk wasn't phased at all by this bike that whizzed by.
As it was so hot, the hawk would not be scared away from its pool so easily.
More summer hawk action to come...
Monday, July 25, 2016
Christo and kid visit the General Slocum memorial
The summer heat just won't let up, driving the Tompkins Square hawks to find relief by playing in sprinklers and soaking in the birdbaths. On Sunday, I found Christo catching a breeze atop the cellphone antenna on the roof of the park offices. He's currently molting and looking a little disheveled, but he'll soon be back to his handsome self.
The day was so hot, even a hawk has to drink water. Christo couldn't resist the tempting lure of the cool running stream at the General Slocum memorial fountain.
I've never seen a hawk drink from this fountain, so I was pretty excited to see this.
After getting his fill, Christo took offto play with some kids into the shade.
About a minute later, one of the fledglings appeared on the roof of the park offices.
It, too, needed to quench its thirst, so it dove down to a puddle at the foot of the fountain.
But why settle for puddle water when there's fresh water to be had?
Did Christo show the fledgling to drink from the water fountain? Did the kid learn by watching someone else do it first? Or maybe the young hawk has done this before and I just haven't seen it. Regardless, seeing two different hawks do this back to back was a thrill.
Taking after its dad, the fledgling flew right at my head. It's always unnerving, but I love it.
More summer hawk water park fun to come...
The day was so hot, even a hawk has to drink water. Christo couldn't resist the tempting lure of the cool running stream at the General Slocum memorial fountain.
I've never seen a hawk drink from this fountain, so I was pretty excited to see this.
After getting his fill, Christo took off
About a minute later, one of the fledglings appeared on the roof of the park offices.
It, too, needed to quench its thirst, so it dove down to a puddle at the foot of the fountain.
But why settle for puddle water when there's fresh water to be had?
Did Christo show the fledgling to drink from the water fountain? Did the kid learn by watching someone else do it first? Or maybe the young hawk has done this before and I just haven't seen it. Regardless, seeing two different hawks do this back to back was a thrill.
Taking after its dad, the fledgling flew right at my head. It's always unnerving, but I love it.
More summer hawk water park fun to come...
Sunday, July 24, 2016
But wait, there's more!
Although I already posted some hawk highlights from last week, I have a few more. The Tompkins Square fledglings have been so active, they keep giving me reasons to take a zillion pictures.
First, though, it was nice to see Dora and Christo perched together in a tree over the semi-circle on Thursday. Both of them are molting, so they look kind of raggedy.
Meanwhile, while mom and dad were enjoying the last light of day, one of the kids perched itself on the statue at the Temperance fountain.
Stretch...
After about 20 minutes, the fledgling headed for Avenue A.
Flying with a full crop.
They really do like to check people out.
And they definitely have no fear of people. Although entertaining, this does worry me.
But I really love how these hawks make people happy.
Soaking up the last bits of sun...
This weekend was very eventful, so there will be many more hawk photos coming this week. Stay tuned...
First, though, it was nice to see Dora and Christo perched together in a tree over the semi-circle on Thursday. Both of them are molting, so they look kind of raggedy.
Meanwhile, while mom and dad were enjoying the last light of day, one of the kids perched itself on the statue at the Temperance fountain.
Stretch...
After about 20 minutes, the fledgling headed for Avenue A.
Flying with a full crop.
They really do like to check people out.
And they definitely have no fear of people. Although entertaining, this does worry me.
But I really love how these hawks make people happy.
Soaking up the last bits of sun...
This weekend was very eventful, so there will be many more hawk photos coming this week. Stay tuned...
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