Red-Tailed Hawk - Hello D-Grin

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been at the nest for a few days, a bit cloudy, some light rain and some camera firmware problems.

Now that the leaves are all out I can only photo at the nest from about 7 am till 9:30. After that the nest is totally shaded (very dark).

I went out about 7:30 this morning only to find the nest empty.. no mom or dad anywhere. I sat there for about 30-45 minutes when I noticed a little movement and then a bit more and then.. there he (she) was, struggling to get to the top of the nest. He was having a very hard time and after seeing his claws (the last two shots are the best I could get of them) I knew why.. they are HUGE compared to the rest of his body.. I'm talking snowshoe huge..:rofl :rofl It seemed he kept tripping over them.

He made it around to all sides of the nest (resting and panting a lot during the struggle) and then he went back down inside. Mom showed up about 9 and dad a bit later. Dad only stayed for a minute or two but mom stayed. While she was there the little guy didn't come back to the top.

I noticed he liked the right side of the nest which means I should be able to get some great shots of him growing up (no leaves or branches on the right side).

I only saw one little one.. and not so little any more.

The nest got dark so I left for the day.. Hope you like the shots.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7 Scratching a bit.. check out those meat hooks.

#8 They looked bigger than he is.

Ric Grupe

Hey Chris....they look a little fuzzy!!!

Oh! They are supposed to be.

Thanks for the update.

PrescottPhotog

Ric Grupe wrote:

Hey Chris....they look a little fuzzy!!!

Oh! They are supposed to be.

I tried a ton of USM but just couldn't get that fuzz to look like feathers.

Stormy1

what cute little fuzzy bugger, he he, he looks like he s waiting for you to bring home some din din, he he

dbaker1221

really cool Chris!!

Jim T

I sure hope he grows into those feet!!

JavaLover

Baby! Baby! We have baby!!! Thanks for the wonderful pictures, fuzzy and all!!! Can't wait to get updates and see him grow.

bfjr

Way To Go !!

If things go well you will have captured the pictoral history
of a raptor in training, and we will get to see

jonh68

Great pictures. I do believe that is the first I have seen of RTH babies.

saurora

Baby boid has some really big talons to grow into!!! Great shots, Chris. Look forward to the next set.

PrescottPhotog

Stormy1 wrote:

what cute little fuzzy bugger, he he, he looks like he s waiting for you to bring home some din din, he he

Hi Stormy, It was tough to watch it having so much trouble getting around knowing that pretty soon it will rule the nest.

I watched an eagles nest a couple years ago and it was the same way, clumsy, awkward and stumbling around.

Then to see them grow to such beautiful and amazing critters was awesome.

PrescottPhotog

dbaker1221 wrote:

really cool Chris!!

Thanks Dave.. now if it will hurry up and grow faster than the branch that is trying to block off my shots.. The only thing that has saved me is the wind out of the west blowing the branch out of the way.

PrescottPhotog

Jim T wrote:

I sure hope he grows into those feet!!

Hi Jim.. I hope so too, they are really huge..

PrescottPhotog

JavaLover wrote:

Baby! Baby! We have baby!!! Thanks for the wonderful pictures, fuzzy and all!!! Can't wait to get updates and see him grow.

Hi JavaLover.. I was beginning to worry, especially yesterday when the nest was vacant for so long. Thanks for viewing.

PrescottPhotog

bfjr wrote:

Way To Go !!

If things go well you will have captured the pictoral history
of a raptor in training, and we will get to see

Hi Ben.. If all goes well we can see him fly.

PrescottPhotog

jonh68 wrote:

Great pictures. I do believe that is the first I have seen of RTH babies.

Hi Jon.. Thanks for the compliment. First RT babies for me too.

Maestro

Great set Chris! That is the first time I have seen a red tailed hawk chick. I have located a nest too in my area but there is no way I could get pics like this. Good work.

PrescottPhotog

saurora wrote:

Baby boid has some really big talons to grow into!!! Great shots, Chris. Look forward to the next set.

Hi Saurora, Thanks for the compliment. I'm looking forward to watching the little guy grow. From what I have read (for RTH's) it is a rather long and slow process and they will stay in the nest for up to 48 days. That's a long time.

PrescottPhotog

Maestro wrote:

Great set Chris! That is the first time I have seen a red tailed hawk chick. I have located a nest too in my area but there is no way I could get pics like this. Good work.

Hi Stephen.. Thanks for the compliment. It's a first for me too. I have seen and photographed eagle chicks which was very interesting. I'm excited to watch this little guy grow. I hope nothing happens to it, we have some pretty nasty ravens and crows around here.