Good morning!
All three Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings continue to do well and have been demonstrating their flying skills by dramatically zipping around the park.
This one stretches its wings in preparation for take-off.
I caught up with two of the three siblings the other morning as they waited for Dad to deliver breakfast.
The one on the right couldn't stay still and took off to join its other sibling on the other side of the park.
The hawks are also learning to chase prey, like squirrels. So far, the squirrels have out-witted them.
This squirrel had no tolerance for a hawk at the foot of its tree.
After taunting the hawk a while, the squirrel retreated up the tree and the hawk moved on to other things.
This is the same fledgling taking a walk though a meadow, looking for things of interest.
Maybe there's something interesting in these bushes...
The hawks are just past two months old and are basically toddlers, curious about everything around them. They also need their rest, so this one took a break in the shade and let its wings flop out. They also do this to cool off in hot temps.
Just before sunset, one of the fledglings took an interest in people sitting along a fence. It perched behind them and none of them seemed to notice the giant bird.
One way to find the hawks in the park is to listen to other birds screaming at them. Robins and Blue Jays are the loudest and persistent. I found this fledgling in a tree thanks to the Blue Jay on the right who announced its presence to the world.
Seeing the hawks as they are now, it's hard to believe they were still fuzzy little things just a month ago. The photos below are all from May.
Two chicks peer from the nest:
Showing off those impressive wings:
The threesome having a discussion at the nest:
All three hanging out and stretching:
Getting some exercise:
This is one of the last photos I have of them as they are molting out of their fuzzy down and growing their wing and tail feathers.
More to come...
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