Here is the tiercel flying in with a food drop.
Mom has just done a drop-and-run at the nest, as an eyass flies right in to eat...
... and later, a hopeful eyass waits on the nest in case there's another delivery.
Other favorite spots for food drops are the tops of the Civil War monuments. One of the eyasses mantles over its prey, well aware of its sibling watching enviously from a nearby flagpole.
The dirt piles at the Barnes construction site are a fine place to eat...
... and lamp poles are also a big hit as breakfast tables!
Catch of the day is Headless Pigeon...
... delivered by the tireless tiercel who had to catch his breath for a minute or so, visibly panting after his hunt.
Meanwhile, his offspring ripped into the pigeon, leaving very little except...
... the feet. This hawk stalking is not for the faint of heart!
When not eating, the eyasses are definitely caught up in the thrill of the hunt, launching from their perches...
... and flying fast and low to a distant squirrel
... who took effective evasive action by running up the tree.
So if squirrels are too tough to catch, there is always a lively leaf to go after...
... and pound into submission.
Then head over to check out....
... another potential piece of prey
.... which needed tossing in the air before a proper pounce could be executed...
....and then another leaf.
It is disconcerting to see how close to the road and traffic they hang out.
At 6:00 AM there are few cars on the Parkway, but we have seen some very near misses as the rush hour picks up.
The hunting instinct is now so strong that once the eyass sees an unwary squirrel on the far side of the Parkway, it takes off at high speed, low to the ground....
... really low to the ground
... and seemingly quite oblivious of Scott who literally felt the wind of its wings as it passed within a couple of feet from him.
It flew at full speed towards the tree root as the squirrel desperately raced to take cover behind the metal barrier.
The eyass instantly banked sharply to the right across the barrier...
... as the fortunate squirrel banked left behind the barrier and reached its tree in time.
I wonder if a Darwinian process of evolution is underway whereby the Parkway squirrels will become a super-species of escape artists. The ones that are left must have had many encounters with the Franklin hawks and eyasses.
As the eyasses practice their hunting and flying skills, it's hard not to inject an anthropomorphizing dose of play into their antics.
Was this choice of landing spot and pose really just a coincidence?
Well, it was definitely not the best choice to demonstrate one's landing skills, so better get outta there
Why leave a nice, smooth, flat roof edge...
... to land on a narrow, pointy, sharp metal strut? Because I can!
And now for a couple of even trickier perches...
Playing tag on a very scary looking piece of machinery inside the construction site: one eyass lands as the other exits stage right.
Joe Debold captured this amazing sequence at the Barnes construction site when an eyass discovered what spectacular hunt/grab/chase action could be had from a half-filled plastic water bottle it found lying on top of a narrow cement wall.
Checking it out...
Pounce and grab.... and balance.
J 
What's this? Better grab it and see...
Oops - lost the bottle down below, and trying to look nonchalant about it.
Back to the hunt...and pounce down fast
Got it... "Die, bottle!"
A more serious moment... symbols of independence as the eyasses continue on their journey
Posts
These pictures are fabulous, and the captions, too. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteTerrific stuff. You are all terrific to share your photos and observations. L O V E the comment about the super Squirrels evolving as the Hawks kill off the old, weak, careless. The photo of Pigeon feet, memorable.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the feet dangling over the side - just priceless. I am starting to think the hawks are adapting to the cameras, "Look at me, look what I can do!" Love every detail.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Della- and fabulous pictures Scott, Joe, and cardi- can't get enough of them! Love the captions- I still say a book is in here somewhere, with proceeds going to the FI!
ReplyDeleteThe pigeon feet are indeed priceless- poor pigeon.....
mmggolfer
Fantastic stuff!!! Seeing the eyasses is like seeing old friends. But please, how is #3? I check the site twice a day at least, hoping for an update!
ReplyDeleteRE Development of Parkway Super Squirrels: You know the saying, "That which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." The author could have had predators & prey in mind.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to Monday mornings for your update. I, too, would love to hear how #3 is doing.
As usual, you have written a wonderful narrative to complement some extraordinary photos. I loved the water bottle sequence.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures! Congratulations to the photographers. It's really great to see how well the eyasses are adapted to the city environment. Della can you pass some information about eyssay #3 ? It looks to me that "she" is missing a lot of fun. Will "she" be released again to join its siblings? I loved the water bottle pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat it was to read your latest chapter.. thanks from all of us on the West Coast..
ReplyDeleteOh my God, I love it!!! The pictures are wonderful and so is the prose. The author is a master storyteller. I love the bit about the hawk landing on a stone wall decorated with what appears to be a hawk or an eagle. Is it really a coincidence? Priceless!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the words and photos here. Seldom do I laugh while reading a blog about wildlife. Tonight I did!
Thank you for the pictures and stories.
ReplyDeleteThey are GREAT!!! I look forward to the next chapter!!!
Thanks
Fan from Michigan
I love all the updates and pictures of our eyasses. It's nice to see them become hunters
ReplyDeleteand feel like they are learning to survive.
May the force be with them. Long after the parents are gone.
Thanks to everyone who has spent long hours and
getting up at the crack of dawn to catch sight of
our hawks and sharing the pictures with us.