JKNatureGallery Wildlife and Nature Photography

May 1: This morning Mama was in the nest at 10:15am and left about 10:47am. At 1pm Mama returned to the nest, I didn't
see any feedings during the short time I had to observe the nest early today. At 6pm I returned to the Hawkcam and Mama
wasn't present and as of 6:48 she was not in the nest. At 9pm viewing of the Hawkcam Mama was in the nest, I assume she
returned as typical around 8pm. I will be posting new images from my visit to the nest on 4/29 the latest by Monday evening.
JFK NY Weather station data - Hi 80, Lo 54, Light rain Avg wind 7.1mph, Max gust 23mph.

May 2: At 1:27am Mama was awake and left the nest, as of 1:57am she didn't return and I went to sleep. 11am Mama was
with her family and she stayed until at leat 2pm. I wasn't able to observe the nest until 2am and they were all sleeping.
JFK NY Weather station data - Hi 75, Lo 58, Heavy rain/fog Avg wind 5.2mph, Max gust 15mph.

May 3: At 11:08am Mama was not in the nest with her family. Mama returned to the nest with a fresh Oak tree branch at
1:40pm she stayed on the nest for ten minutes. I observed a feeding at 5:40pm and Mama left the nest at 5:45. At 7:32 the
eyasses all appeared to be fine in the nest. They were walking around and flapping their wings. Mama returned to the nest
after 8pm where she stayed for the rest of the night. JFK NY Weather station data - Hi 80, Lo 61, Sunny/partly cloudy Avg
wind 7.9mph, Max gust 29mph.

May 4: Today was a very sad day at the nest of Mama and Papa. At 10:52am I noticed immediately that third eyass was
missing in the nest. Many Hawkcam viewers have also noticed, here is what I know so far. I hurried to the nest site hopeful
to find the third eyasses on the ground, rescue it and get it into the hands of our local wildlife rehabilitators Bobby and
Cathy. I left them word of a possible rescue requiring their assistance. Upon arriving at the nest I couldn't find the eyass. An
inspection of the nest from above confirmed the eyass was not in the nest and a careful inspection of the surrounding area
with binoculars also came up empty. Convinced the eyass was not to be found, I sadly left the area and provided an update
to Bobby and Cathy. I inspected my images of the nest and determined the last known time all three eyasses appeared to
be fine was May 3rd at 7:32pm EST, the rest of the evening Mama was shielding the eyasses from view. A worker at the
building arrived at 8am May 4th, at that time he observed only two eyasses in the nest. If any of our viewers of Hawkcam
across the multiple time zones worldwide has any information to narrow the time frame when the eyass disappeared from
the nest please email me with the details. Hopefully, someone observed the fate of the third eyass.
Tomorrow I will be archiving the current red-tailed hawk news for the Month of April, it can always be accessed via the news
archives link. I have also been delayed posting new nest images, I hope to have them posted tomorrow.
JFK NY Weather station data - Hi TBD, Lo TBD, Sunny Avg wind TBDmph, Max gust TBDmph.

May 5: Today Mama spent a large portion of her day in the nest with her family. Papa made a number of visits as well.
Mama was in the nest at 12:15am until she left the nest at 2am, her two remaining eyasses were very active at that hour.
AT 2:50am Mama had not returned to the nest and I went to sleep. At 10:37am Mama wasn't in the nest and the eyasses
wee active. Mama returned to then est at 11:22am and stayed through 2:10 when Papa delivered food. He only stayed one
minute and left as Mama started to feed her family. At 3:15 Papa returned once again staying only thirty seconds on this
visit, Mama once again fed her young at this time. At 3:41 Mama left the nest and returned 4:30 staying two hours leaving
briefly at 6:30 and her eyasses became very active she returned at 7:07 and stayed most of the evening when once again
she left the nest at 12:30am. From this point forward I will only post extreme weather data as most of our nests now have
hatches. I have posted new images of the nest from 4/29 in the Nest Photos 2010 pg3 gallery.

May 6: On a visit to the nest today it was very apparent that Mama and Papas behavior had changed. They were very
active patrolling the area around their nest and staying close to one another, in 16 years of observations I hadn't seen
them behave this way. Even last year when one of the two eyasses perished in the nest they didn't show this level of
awareness and activity. I had noticed both on Tuesday and Wednesday late evenings after midnight that Mama was
following something above her in the sky. On both these days she also left the nest shortly after seeing something above
her. It became clear to me on Thursday seeing their behavior noticeably different and Mama watching something intently in
the sky that the third and smallest eyass must have been predated from the nest. I am fairly certain that whatever predated
the youngest from the nest was probably still around Tuesday and Wednesday potentially trying for another meal at the
nest, further upsetting Mama and Papa in the process. This explains why we couldn't find any signs of the eyass upon
inspection that Monday.

May 7: Mama stayed at her nest for a good portion of the day with feedings late afternoon and early evening. Mama
stayed on her nest overnight as the wind started to get stronger and light rain developed. JFK NY Weather station data - Hi
68, Lo 53, Light rain Avg wind 14.01mph, Max gust 30mph.

May 9: Very strong sustained winds were continued today. Once again, the eyasses were having difficulty standing up as
they were blown around on the nest. Mama and Papa also had difficulties while on the nest maintaining their balance. I
observed a feeding at 2:10pm. The second eyass clearly is having some health issues, it is trying to eat and the food
doesn't seem to be going down easily, if at all. Many times we noticed it with a chunk of meat hanging from its beak for over
five minutes. It also seems to be having difficulty cleaning its beak from feathers and fur. The overnight period the
temperature dropped and it was very chilly, Mama was mantling over her eyasses to protect them and keep them warm.
JFK NY Weather station data - Hi 56, Lo 45, Fair Avg wind 24.4mph, Max gust 45mph.

May 8: Very strong sustained winds were prevalent today. The eyasses were having difficulty standing up as they were
blown around on the nest. Mama and Papa also had difficulties while on the nest maintaining their balance. The second
eyass is showing signs of ill health, it is still eating but seems to be slowing down and loosing energy more quickly between
meals. I observed feedings at 1:30, 2:15 and 2:45pm. Mama stayed overnight in the nest protecting her eyasses from the
wind. JFK NY Weather station data - Hi 78, Lo 51, Fair Avg wind 18.8mph, Max gust 52mph.

May 10: This morning we encountered more bad news. The second eyass has perished overnight, the strong wind, very
cool temperature and declining health were to much to handle. Its body is still in the nest and its sibling was observing it on
a number of occasions today, even sleeping next to it. Both parents also have nudged it and have been observing it as
well. This behavior has also made me more positive that the third eyass was predated from the nest, as Mama and Papa
have for now at least left the second eyass in the nest. We will have to observe the first and largest eyass very carefully
over the next week for any signs of declining health. Hopefully, it will remain healthy and fledge the nest normally over the
next 4 weeks, otherwise, it may need to be rescued and treated by wildlife rehabilitators. I have observed feedings at 1pm,
2pm and 3:30pm. The parents left the first eyass alone for most of the afternoon but I'm sure they were close by. I have
posted new images of the nest from 4/29 in the Nest Photos 2010 pg3 gallery.

Please see my new offerings for the 2010 season under the Lectures & Field Photography Workshops category and
click on the links Wildlife & Nature Photography and Educational Slide Presentations for further details. I will be frequently
updating the photography workshop schedule with new workshops and venues, so please check the schedule often and
register for a workshop that interests you. I'm also collecting photography workshop suggestions that may become future
photography workshop programs.

Please join us on the new Photography Workshops I've added to the Wildlife & Nature Photography Workshop schedule.
There are still openings for the May 22nd workshop, registration is required by May 14th.

As of Monday April 19th the Hawkcam has returned with its live 24 hour video feed observing the active 2010 Red-tailed
Hawk nest of Mama and Papa. Please join us as we observe them raise their three nestlings that are now about 32 days of
age.

May 22: I have to apologize for the lack of postings the last 12 days. Some technical difficulties and a very busy schedule
interfered with my regular updates. This morning before 10:30am EST our remaining eyass fledged the nest and I
immediately went to the nest site to search for the eyass. I had visited the nest yesterday and thought the eyass still
needed a few more days in the nest as today the eyass just turned about seven weeks of age. Many people at the building
helped me search for the eyass providing their support, to all of you thank you for your efforts confirming the fledglings
location and condition could not have been done without your support. Upon rooftop access I finally was able spot the
eyass on a lower rooftop that was not visible from street level. The eyass now a fledgling was safe preening its feathers on
a sixth floor rooftop. I have additional images to post of the eyass in the nest over the last couple weeks as well as images
from today taken as a fledgling. Papa was watching over his fledgling and hunting for food. Returning home after four
hours it wasn't more than thirty minutes when the phone rang calling me back to help the fledgling as it was now sitting on a
spool of razor wire and having difficulty getting off. Fortunately, once I arrived back the fledgling was off the razor wire and
back to a safe location once again preening. I was informed during the ten minutes it took me to return one of the parent
hawks was swooping over the fledgling as if to say what are you doing get off the razor wire. These attempts by Mama or
Papa did work and the fledgling managed to free itself and move away to a safe location. Now worried about injury we were
escorted to different vantage points to observe the fledglings feet and general condition. Thankfully, after an hour or so we
determined all was well and once again returned home leaving the fledgling resting from its ordeal. We will keep a close
eye on the fledgling and report updates and new images as we obtain them. I hope to catch up on posting of news and new
images over the next few days, so please check back. I'm relatively sure that this fledgling is a male based on its size and
early departure from th nest. For those that have not heard we were able to have the second eyass that perished tested
for cause of death. On May 12th Mama pushed the remains of the second eyass out of the nest to the ground below
providing the opportunity to have it tested through the proper channels. As it turned out it perished from frounce, we were
very observant of the final eyasses health over the last couple weeks as this is a nasty disease. We were very fortunate
that the final eyass did not get frounce and was able to fledge the nest without intervention. For future news updates we
would like to give the fledgling a name, please submit your suggestions to info@JKNatureGallery.com we will select an
appropriate name by May 31st.

May 23: The fledgling stayed on the many rooftops near it nest. At noon a Pigeon was delivered probably the first food
since it left the nest. The hungry fledgling consumed the entire Pigeon then happily flapped its wings before laying down to
take a rest. For future news updates we would like to give the fledgling a name, please submit your suggestions to
info@JKNatureGallery.com we will select an appropriate name by May 31st.

May 24: Once again the fledgling stayed on the many rooftops near it nest. It is moving around and staying safe. The
fledgling still doesn't have the strength to fly upwards for any great distance. Both Mama and Papa are staying close by
keeping an eye on the fledgling and providing meals. For future news updates we would like to give the fledgling a name,
please submit your suggestions to info@JKNatureGallery.com we will select an appropriate name by May 31st.

May 25: The fledgling continues to stay close to its nest and has not explored beyond the safety of the rooftops in the
immediate area. Mama was watching her youngster from the side of the building before heading off most likely for food.
Late in the afternoon the fledgling attempted to fly over a walkway between two rooftops, it needed to gain about ten feet of
altitude for a safe landing when it encountered a stiff wind. The fledgling fell short of its target, almost crashed into the wall
below the roof, as it turned away it landed on the razor wire of the fence below. Fortunately, it didn't get injured and
eventually flew to a nearby low roof, then up to a ledge then up to a higher rooftop to another safe location. For future
news updates we would like to give the fledgling a name, please submit your suggestions to info@JKNatureGallery.com we
will select an appropriate name by May 31st.

May 26: The fledgling continues to stay close to its nest and has not explored beyond the safety of the rooftops in the
immediate area. Mama was watching her youngster from the side of the building before heading off most likely for food.
Late in the afternoon the fledgling attempted to fly over a walkway between two rooftops, it needed to gain about ten feet of
altitude for a safe landing when it encountered a stiff wind. The fledgling fell short of its target, almost crashed into the wall
below the roof, as it turned away it landed on the razor wire of the fence below. Fortunately, it didn't get injured and
eventually flew to a nearby low roof, then up to a ledge then up to a higher rooftop to another safe location. For future
news updates we would like to give the fledgling a name, please submit your suggestions to info@JKNatureGallery.com we
will select an appropriate name by May 31st.

May 27: This morning we had a surprise, the fledgling made it back to its nest. This is the earliest any of Mama and Papas
fledglings have returned to their nest at this particular location. It shows that the fledgling is getting stronger in flight as the
nest is a good 75 feet above the rooftops where it has been hanging out this past week. The fledgling stayed in the nest
for about two hours that I'm aware of before leaving the nest once again. Late this afternoon the fledgling was on a lower
roof in a very safe location. We are also keeping an eye on the Ravens nest. All three youngsters are getting very big and
active, it appears that they will be leaving the nest in the near future. I hope to catch up on posting new images this
weekend.

May 28: The fledgling is doing well and remains on the rooftops near its nest. I was informed today that the fledgling was
vocalizing for food yesterday when a small black bird most likely a Starling approached the fledgling. After a short time the
Starling disappeared and came back with a worm and tried to feed the fledgling. The Starling stayed and kept the fledgling
company the rest of the day. Early in the afternoon the fledgling was provided a Squirrel by its parents, it ate most of the
Squirrel at that time.

May 29: This morning I found the fledgling on the Southwest most side of the building near its nest, it was resting in the
shade on a ledge. Late in the afternoon the fledgling moved upwards to one of the higher rooftops where Mama just
delivered a meal a few minutes before. The fledgling was feeding itself as the sun started to set, it appeared to be eating a
rat or a Squirrel. Please see new images I have posted in the Nest Photos 2010 gallery page 3, more to come.

May 30: During a short visit to check on the fledgling in the early evening we weren't able to find the fledgling. Hopefully its
fine keeping a low profile from the warm day.

May 31: This morning I got an early start to see if I could locate the fledgling. Upon arriving I ran into one of my main
spotters and they had not seen the fledgling either after searching for about an hour. My thoughts at this point make me
think it moved West to the next building. Abandoning my search at the original location it was only minutes that I located
Mama at the next building to the West. A few minute later and I find the fledgling sitting on the roof ledge with a meal that
Mama must have just delivered second before I arrived. While taking photos of the fledgling it decided to fly 100 feet to the
East wing of the roof taking the meal Mama delivered a baby Squirrel. The fledgling is progressing well and is now getting
much stronger in flight. I left it with Mama as the fledgling began to eat for the day.