I watched a Red-shouldered pair working over an old squirrel nest at the end of my driveway. Last year, we had a lot of activity from them, but couldn't pin down the source. In April I saw her carry a small snake up there and I knew they had chicks. I was right...
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_5538_zpsa9dbd084.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_5538_zpsa9dbd084.jpg.html)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_5543_zpsbe5d76cc.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_5543_zpsbe5d76cc.jpg.html)
I tried to keep up with them....
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_5558_zpsab73ffa2.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_5558_zpsab73ffa2.jpg.html)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_5694_zpsf9ed14ad.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_5694_zpsf9ed14ad.jpg.html)
After they left the nest, they started their training by hunting bugs in the back yard here...
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_6025_zps3590bbd4.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_6025_zps3590bbd4.jpg.html)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/60133cfb-ec50-413c-875f-caa30900e9f7_zps9ed7d974.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/60133cfb-ec50-413c-875f-caa30900e9f7_zps9ed7d974.jpg.html)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_6068_zps399d450c.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_6068_zps399d450c.jpg.html)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_6047_zpsfa32dd7b.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_6047_zpsfa32dd7b.jpg.html)
I have spent many hours watching these magnificent birds grow and learn. Research says they will work with their parents for about 18 months learning, and they will be well-trained when they leave here.
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b437/shaddragger128/IMG_1688_zps55c31287.jpg) (http://s1043.photobucket.com/user/shaddragger128/media/IMG_1688_zps55c31287.jpg.html)
Now those are cool pics!!
I think I have a nested pair of hawks near me but no idea where. wish I could have something like this where I could watch them grow. You are lucky in deed!
So many sub-species tio choose from Slag! Lots of them pick a big-woods bottom land to nest in. Hope you find your group to watch.
I have watched a big red tail and another smaller hawk of a different species work as a team over a field across the road and in my small woods to get prey to break cover. but to actually be able to watch hatchlings grow and learn. that would be so awesome.
The KEE-Ya call is the give-away for us. They will definitely work in pairs around here! Coopers are close but not quite!
Some of those pics turned out awesome! :congrats:
What an opportunity, thanks for sharing it.
Quote from: FinsnFur on July 06, 2014, 12:19:06 AM
Some of those pics turned out awesome! :congrats:
What an opportunity, thanks for sharing it.
Big ditto!
Cool pics for sure.
Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk
WOW! Those pictures are excellent. Thanks for sharing them.
I really like the last two. Nice work.
Jerry