Exchange of Jobs today April 17, 2009

I was looking out the window today on the 5th floor at the right time. Female was sitting on the nest when all of a sudden to the left come the male flying from the construction building (Sky Diver my nickname for him) so fast feet down and lands in the nest. It is always so exciting watching the male fly in - he is so fast and tends to come in out of nowhere (from above the building where I work or when I am outside from behind my back) and makes a dramatic landing. They both stayed on the nest for a few minutes talking about the eggs lol and then the female red-tail hawks took off and the male immediately starts to move the eggs around. You could see him put him head in the nest and roll it back and this went on for about 2 maybe 3 minutes. Then he sat on the nest. I had to go back to work but I would have like to see if the female returned immediately to the nest (as has been her habit in the past). We are now half way into the sitting period. Another 15-20 to hatching time.

Female Sitting and Male Flying April 16, 2009

Most days seem to be the same right now. The female is sitting on the eggs and the male is having a good time flying around the buildings. I seldom see him on the nest these days only when he is bringing in food. Hard to get many photos these days. I did see him on the back of the building being built today resting. Ann

Both on the nest April 15, 2009

Jack saw both red-tailed hawks on the nest first thing in the morning. He noticed that they were taking turns covering the nest. I have also seen the one red-tailed hawk flying around some office building nearby. The female seems to be very content sitting on the nest (which is quite large now) and very difficult to get a shot of her in it (only the top of her head).

Blue Skys Female quiet on nest again. April 11, 2009

Stopped in today to show a friend the nest. Female sitting very quietly on the nest. No sign of the male.

Quiet at the Nest today April 10, 2009

Stopped in today but female red-tailed hawk was just sitting quietly on the nest. No sign of the male at all.

Nice day finally Apirl 9, 2009

The female is sitting on the nest. She was very alert and looking around every time I looked at the nest.

Red-Tail Alert April 8, 2009

A cold bitter windy morning with the female red-tailed hawk flat on the nest this morning. By the afternoon the sky was blue, sun was shinning (still cold) but activity had started on the nest again. Went out for lunch and could hear the red- tails talking on the nest. Both male and female were up there. The male left to go to the woods and continue to bring fresh branches to the nest. As I approached my car he circled the parking lot very low with a branch in his talons. Amazing. The male went back to the nest and circled again. What a show. This went on a couple of times. My friend Miyuki was amazed at how large he was. Late afternoon I looked out to see the female on the nest only her head up and looking around but in the air 2 red-tail hawks were flying by. All of a sudden out of the woods the male red-tailed hawk chased after them. He circled them and chased them out of his territory. They did a bit of a dance but eventually they left. I did not see the male come back - I assume he was escorting them to the border.
Note from Colin: When ever intruders fly over below the 'safety zone', "resident" birds, Redtails and other raptors, will always escort intruders our of their territory.
On another note: Arrived home to have the fox sitting in my yard again.