Avian clockwork

My hawk intuition must be pretty good. Yesterday I wrote that the hawks seemed to be scouting the nest again. Today this red tailed mother was in the nest when I drove through our narrow river canyon on my way to work. Soon she will be nestling her oeufs into the twiggy basket.

I believe that this is the fifth year in a row that I will get to take photographs of buteo jamaicensis and her future offspring. Last year we had three chicks, the year before two.


I have done a little reading on the red tailed. Most widespread raptor on the continent, range extends from the Yukon to Central America, highest density is in Puerto Rico, of all places. I think what amazes me the most is the wide color differentiation. Each one is its own unique jewel.

Hope I get some good pictures to share with you. Perhaps Doug will loan me his 400mm lens again if I am nice...