Looks like there will not be a repeat of yesterday's scary nest-boycot. Mom was feeding the chicks when Dad flew in with another prey delivery. In the pic, he's standing on it.

I am redeemed! After days of being thwarted by that hummingbird, and noticing all the dubious faces glancing my way, here is proof positive. His hummmmm alerted me to the screen. Actually, several other posters caught him today, so I think he has relented and came by for a portrait session.

Quote: raptorz4ever wrote in post #20

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Is that a "hawk halo" I see on Mom this morning? Many of us expected Mom to satisfy our human parenting standards by tending the nest yesterday. She had other plans, and was absent from the nest for most of the day. It's clear she is not a helicopter mom.

The way the sun plays tricks on the cam in the morning brings on a feeling of nostalgia. Does anyone else remember watching similar lights?

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It is indeed EC, and that's Home Tree.

Today, the chicks snoozed peacefully for a long time. Then Dad flew in with huge prey of indeterminate origin. Mom was not at home and the chicks began squealing for food, so Dad gallantly began to serve lunch. Moments later, Mom arrived to take charge. However, it's Dad in the photo, as you can tell by his sleek frame and handsome red legs.

The chicks have itchy pin feathers and feet three times too big for their bodies. Soon the time will be past for the "cuddle puddle," so I decided to capture some memories of these precious ones.

This young hawk has it all figured out. S/he (I think it's a she.) uses those big feet to cling to the edge of the nest bowl, and hangs her massive crop over the top. I call this photo: "Bellying up to the Bar."

Look who's standing tall! It was only momentary, before toppling over into the nest bowl, but s/he stood again and turned around for a proper PS.

Dad delivers a squirrel, and Mom arrives to supervise the feeding. One of the hawklets props up onto a bay branch that Mom delivered earlier and takes a look at the squirrel, then decides to taste the squirrel by nipping at its tail. The second hawklet snoozes through all this activity, no doubt still stuffed full from all the morning feedings. Notice the two dark sub-terminal bands on Dad's tail.

Soooo much food! What am I gonna do? Can't eat any more. Big Bro might get it if I don't. Can't let it get away! Guess I'll just lie on top of it & permanently mantle it.....

Meanwhile..........the other hawklet sits nonchalantly looking over it's kingdom, rolling it's eyes and thinking what a nerd it's sibling is and such a drama queen.

Drama? You are sooo right, Patti. And she's not the only one! Here's how I caught Brother a few minutes ago -- sunbathing!

It's not hard to catch an inbound food delivery nowadays. The chicks' constant begging increases to a fever pitch when they see food coming. They have seen enough snakes now to be respectful of the still-moving reptiles until they can figure out how to eat them. Most of the snakes brought to the nest have been pretty big ones, but this time it was only a snake-snack. (snippy taken yesterday)

I tuned in this morning to see an empty nest. I had the sound on though and could hear them calling for food.