At this tender age they’re curious about everything.
Last spring and summer I regularly monitored a Red-tailed Hawk Nest from the beginning of the nest-building process until after the chicks were fledged (from a respectful distance of course). On the morning of June 30th the nest, on a nearby cliff, was empty for the first time but I found the recent fledglings on the ground about a hundred yards away from the cliff and very close to the road. Based on my observational evidence and the clumsiness of the youngsters I believe this was likely the first time they had left the nest area on the cliff.
1/640, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
At first they were extremely curious about my pickup on the road. The older fledgling had managed to perch atop a short stump that is mostly hidden in the grass while its slightly younger sibling huddled very close by. I love their inquisitive poses with the younger bird looking out at me from behind its sibling (almost like a human child peering at a stranger from behind his/her mother’s skirt) and its slightly more experienced nest-mate using parallax on me by moving and rotating its head around at differing angles. If you look (very) closely you might notice a difficult-to-see grass stem directly in front of the eye of the bird on the right. Perhaps that obstruction, within millimeters of its eye, added to the curiosity of such a young bird.
I spent quite a while watching these youngsters learn the ropes. The younger bird stayed largely in the grasses as it explored its wondrous new world but the older sibling was slightly more adventurous as it repeatedly practiced balancing on various short perches on the ground. Both birds could fly but not very well at all, especially when it came to landings which were sometimes only a slight improvement over out-of-control crash landings. At one point the older bird performed a “splat” landing on the side of a vertical cliff and then hung on for dear life, seeming to wonder “Why did I do that and what in the hell am I going to do to get out of this mess?”.
The first year of a raptor’s life is the most perilous and their survival rates to adulthood are dismally low. I dearly hope both of these young birds are still with us.
Ron
Glad to see Laura is spreading the word about Big Red. She is one beautiful hawk and great mama. Thanks Ron for the pictures and info. Love the hawks.
Sorry to be late, but I bring good tidings of great joy! Big Red, the female redtail hawk star of the Cornell nest cam. laid her first egg of the season this morning!! YIPPEE!! YEE HAW! Her new mate, named Arthur in a vote of everyone who would vote, is proving to be a good pick of a new mate thus far. Historically, Big Red lays three eggs a season. As usual, the weather in Ithaca, NY (home of Cornell University) is mostly to partly dismal, but these redtails are tough customers. The second egg should arrive early Sunday. Stay tuned.
Life goes on…
This week we had a devastating loss of over 130 red tailed hawks found dead on a persons property and some other birds and animals. This story just broke my heart….
So to see your picture and story about these beautiful raptors thrilled me❤️
Thank you Ron
They’re so adorable! I hope they’re still around — I’ll just make that the story in my head. 🙂 Looking forward to more babies!
You can imagine how much I’m looking forward to nesting season, Marty. Can’t beat greenery and young birds!
Infinite curiosity, infinite charm.
And an emphatic yes to the final sentence to the post.
“Infinite curiosity, infinite charm”
Yup, that describes young raptors very well!
I was out there last Sunday, the photo of a young redtail I posted on my facebook page was in the area of the nest from last year. I did not see any birds building nest yet. It was relatively birdless compared to last year this same time. I hope they have a good year again.
“It was relatively birdless compared to last year this same time”
I had the same experience up there several days ago, April. I hope it doesn’t last…
Your title “different curiosity poses” is so correct and catchy. They are like 2 young children who just can’t resist trying to figure out what is going on. As you stated, they can get themselves into precarious situations, but hopefully none that will cause their demise.
Thanks Ron
Thanks, Alice. I’m glad you liked my title.
Interesting post Ron! When I was a kid in the 30’s/40’s crows and hawks were scarce in the east. They both were shot on sight for all extensive purposes! Generally the lack of extensive backyard chickens and the purposeful protection along with laws preventing shooting in the vicinity of nearby homes has allowed both hawks and crows to recover. However, it was more the Red-shouldered Hawk along with the Red-tails that got hit hard. Ignorance still prevails. I’m not sure we can ever rid communities of ignorance.
Thanks, Dick. Yes, it’s made a big positive difference having all migratory birds protected now.
They are always so cute, when they are young, and just like human children, they just stare and wonder who or what you are. Always wonder what they might be thinking. Too bad we don’t know what they think or all talking about. I have been in the hospital for two weeks with knee replacement surgery. So going to be a while before I can drive and enjoy the great out doors.
Good luck with your recovery, Trudy!
Thank You, been thinking of moving up to the 7D Mark II, trade in my 7D body.
Good luck with your decision!
Hold on I hear rumors of a newer one coming !!!!so might be better .. and will bring down price of the 7 d 11
Oh SO cute! 🙂 The learning curve is steep for them for sure. Want to see them all live, BUT if they did…………….
“Want to see them all live”
Ha, if they did you wouldn’t have any chickens, Judy! 🙂
That’s for sure! 🙂
Interestingly, when I was a kid in MT we had chickens, as did my uncle, and I don’t remember either of us having trouble with raptors taking them. And we had lots of raptors around, including RTH’s.
We had more problems with weasels and skunks.
I have hawks nesting in my property and chickens roaming free .. never had a Hawk even remotely interested .. I hear they are having problems with bald eagles so at free range chicken farms…
Question from a backyard photographer not even in your level of great pictures. You have a 7D Mark II and using a 500mm f/4L IS. I have the 7D and still using a 5.6 100-400 El, the question would be, would moving up to the next level of 7D be a good move. Also the Canon EF 500m is that the one you find the most useful. Excuse me if I have trouble with my ability to ask the question. I do take a lot of wildlife pictures, I can afford to move up and have been thinking about it. Your pictures are so outstanding that I needed to ask. Thank You
Steven, if you’re shooting birds primarily I’d move to the 7D Mark II in a heartbeat (I have two of them) for a variety of reasons, including the faster burst rate. I also have a 7D that I use on my 100-400 lens but I’ve missed a lot of potentially great shots because of its slower burst rate.
IMO the Canon 500mm prime is perfect for birds, especially with the option of using the 1.4 tc. Its sharpness is legendary, its bokeh is superb and it’s a big improvement over the 100-400 although I wouldn’t be without the zoom as a second more flexible option when birds are too close for the 500.
If you’re serious about your photography and you can afford to make the move to either or both the 500 and the Mark II I’d certainly do it. I love both of them.