The 3 juveniles are getting bolder and bolder June 30, 2010

When I arrived today it was to see one red tail walking in the middle of the receiving lot. Getting lots of attention. The other 2 were flying so low that you could see people wanting to duck. Bob and I had a nice view of two of them.




Notice the shadow of the hawk on the white wall.

Red Tailed Hawk Family June 28, 2010

When I arrived this juvenile was walking on the ground under the nest. He had just eaten and jumped on the tree branch and was wiping his beak. I noticed his tongue was also out. Not a great shot but very different.



check out the tongue. Double click to enlarge


2 of the juveniles were in the nest the whole evening - crying for food


Female hiding across the street deep in the leaves

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk on the ground June 26, 2010

Carol and I were treated to the youngest red-tailed hawk landing on the ground. He was playing, eating bugs and then flew straight at Carol to cross the road. I yelled duck and she didn't move. She had this look of happiness and wonder (I know weird eh) that the hawk had come so close and she could feel him pass her.



Eating a bug

"Hooligan" learned a lesson this morning by: Chris McConnell

The hawk I nicknamed "Hooligan" learned a lesson this morning - sometimes prey fights back!

She flew and landed hard on something just a few feet from me, and at first the hawk was winning the battle, and even mantled! I was so excited - thought I was witnessing the first successful attempt at hunting and expected to see a moth or some other little victim. Instead I realized as I was happily snapping away that the "prey" was a long strip of tape! She rolled around and started to panic after a bit and then engaged the other talon and looked like she was going to get tangled in it. I could tell it wasn't that sticky - I was more concerned about her somehow getting herself wrapped up...luckily the strip was long enough that I was able to step on one end so that she could step out of the other end without it "attacking" back. Luckily it wasn't very tacky because of the rain, I think the fact that it fought back was what startled her!

The funny thing was that after the incident she immediately looked like she was queen of the world again - not a single feather was ruffled!

To see more of Chris's incredible shots check out the link here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrismcc_pics/

Thanks Chris for taking care of the hawks. Photo credit to Chris McConnell - volunteer for the Toronto Wildlife Centre and a fantastic photographer.

Two young red-tailed hawks playing, fighting and biting June 26, 2010

today I had a great view of the hawks while they played on the roof. I was some distance so the shots are cropped tightly. What a great 20 minutes of watching them try to bite one another.

Practicing to catch mice - Pretty Darn good June 26 2010

Now this takes real talent. On Wed he was falling over carrying an acorn in his talons. They are getting pretty darn good.

Beautiful Red-Tailed Hawk Babies.June 26, 2010

Fledged Red-Tailed hawks flight shots June 26 2010

Today between the rain the hawks were very active. Here are some flight shots.

Preening and Looking pretty June 25, 2010

Love this shot of the tail totally spread out for preening.



2 sitting together