It is an extraordinary, almost spiritual experience to gaze into an eyass's eyes and have that gaze returned intently with no fear.
The eyasses are intensely curious about everything in their environment. Every time Kay raised her camera, they craned forward, tipping their heads from side to side, watching us. There was absolutely no fear or nervousness from them. They were interested in and watching us the whole time.
Their eyes are HUGE!
And each time we changed position, or someone walked by the privacy screen, an eyass would step closer to peer at what was happening.
Their wings are also huge! When they flap it is astonishing how big and grown up they look.
It is really starting to get crowded in the nest and can only be a matter of a day or two before someone ventures out onto the ledge.
As the tiercel came in to land with a freshly caught bird in his talons, the eyasses crouched down at the back of the nest to give him room.
He feeds them conscientiously even though the eyasses are now pretty much able to feed themselves from the food brought to the nest.
The eyasses' feathers are coming in all over their bodies replacing the baby fluff, and you can begin to see the chestnut feathering on their chests. The eyass on the right has fewer feathers around its neck and back, and is probably the one from the third egg, a couple of days behind the other two.
A close-up of the feathers shows some of them still in the casings.
Their tail feathers are also growing in fast....
.... as well as those FEET!
We left the eyasses full of food and peacefully settling into sleep in their usual pile....
.... under the watchful care of the Franklin Institute.
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Once more Della and Kay have truly outdone themselves with another chapter in the life of the eyasses. Thanks as always to both of you for the great effort you put into chronicling the lives of these little marvels. I can hardly wait to make my semi-annual trip to Philly next month!
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you're coming - we'll plan a field trip!
ReplyDeleteThis is sooooo fabulous, as I've only told you a million times. But you are starting to outdo yourselves!
ReplyDeleteWish I could be there with you in the boardroom- need someone to hold the tripod?
mmggolfer
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful!!!!! How precious!!!! LOVE the sign they have in the office. Cathy
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary photos. These pictures are the best yet! I really, really enjoyed them and the narrative. We are all so lucky to have you two!
ReplyDeleteI can only add my thanks to you. It adds so much to just viewing "my babies". I appreciate your time and effort, although I know you are having a great time doing it.
ReplyDeleteThe above comments have said it all. I would never have believed how magical it has been spending time with this hawk family. And the photo of the eyass staring into the camera . . . priceless!! Thanks so much for this blog and all who take the photos. 0relandGal
ReplyDeleteawesome!
ReplyDeletechills running up and down.
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