The three chicks took turns teasing us, popping up just high enough for us to see their fuzzy white heads. At first we were not sure how many were there until we could see all three heads at the same time. Some times, one would pop up looking right at us, making it obvious they knew we were watching. At other times, they acted as if they did not care if we were watching. But when Momma held up shredded bits of dinner, they were all eyes on her.

Photo By Bob Kuhns Horace and Gertrude

We named the most active chick Horace. The other two are Gertrude and Clem. They are the babies of a family of red-shouldered hawks with a nest just two hundred feet from my front deck. Ann and I spent the better part of a day watching them through binoculars and the spotting scope.

Photo by Bob Kuhns Momma Spreads a wing ... to protect the chicks from what?

The nest was in a three way fork about thirty feet up a tree. So the chicks were hidden from view except when they raised up to see what was going on. Momma spent much of the day sitting in the nest with them, but Daddy was only seen midday delivering a kill. He only stayed in the nest for a few seconds, then left in a regal flight off into the forest. Then Momma shredded the meal into long thin strips and fed them to the chicks one at a time.

Photos by Bob Kuhns Grand Entrance into the Nest   Photo by Bob Kuhns Clem checks out the neighborhood

The next few days were miserable weather, with cold rain, wind, etc. After that I did not have an opportunity to watch the nest for several more days. I have not seen any of the family since. Did they learn to fly and move on, or was the weather to harsh for them. I choose to believe the family has finished the nesting stage and are each out on their own hunting in Shenandoah National Park.

Photo by Bob Kuhns Proud Momma

Photo by Bob Kuhns Momma stands guard from a neary tree                               - Ranger Bob