Showing posts with label 2011 colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 colorado. Show all posts

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Cooper's Hawk Nest was Successful!

Back in early April, I posted about a Cooper's Hawk building a nest on the greenbelt where I walk everyday. Well, turns out it was a very successful nest this year! After the nest was built there wasn't much activity so I thought it was abandoned. Then one day I walked by and saw mama hawk sitting on it so I knew there must be eggs!
I kept my eye on it and eventually I saw a little head poking up. This nest is very high but with my Sigma 50-500mm I got some decent shots!
I walked around to the other side of the nest and saw another head and even had the pleasure of seeing mama feed it!
I apparently overstayed my welcome under the nest because shortly after mama fed them she stood on the edge of the nest, looked right at me and proceeded to dive-bomb me. I kid you not, I thought she was going to hit me so I ducked. It made my heart race and I quickly made my exit. If I wasn't so busy fearing for my safety, it would've made some great photos :0)
I waited a few days before returning and to my surprise noticed there were more than two babies in the nest...
there were 4 ! In the above photo you will see 3 in the nest and one already making it's way onto a nearby branch!
On my next visit, 2 of them were on branches with 2 still in the nest.


I continue to see them near the nest on my walks...calling out to mom and dad and learning all their hunting tricks!