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:
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