Here are a few recent highlights of the Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings as they continue to explore and entertain.
What the photos do not convey is the never-ending heat and humidity that has really wiped me out, but doesn't seem to slow down the hawks. They tend to spend the hottest parts of the day resting in the shady treetops, and get active when it rains, or in the late evening.
This one checks out the view from the top of a building along the park.
We can almost see all parts of the hawk at once!
I love how the hawks often blend in to the activity in the park. Several people walked right past this one without taking any notice.
Preparing for take-off:
This facial expression reminds me of a cat getting ready to pounce.
As it happened, there was a stashed headless pigeon hidden in this tree. After making a few attempts to catch its own pigeon, the hawk opted for the leftovers.
Running up a branch:
The hawks are about three months old now, and will soon lose the yellow color on their chests.
Soaring like a pro:
This was my first time (this season) seeing a fledgling on the cross of St Brigid's Church on Avenue B.
The three young siblings can still be found playing on the ground within the park.
This one captured a large stick.
After a bath, this fledgling flew up to a flat part of this elm tree by the chess tables...
...and laid down to have a nap and dry off in the sun. If I hadn't seen it fly up there, I wouldn't have noticed it lurking above our heads.
This is the same spot after dark:
