BOPIMBY (birds of prey in my backyard)

[Howie]

This thread brings a smile to my face.  Thanks, guys!

[IZ]

Cool pics JOD!

[CairnsDuc]

Awesome Pics, Thanks 

[Langanobob]

I'd like to set up something like that this fall (after the hawks are gone) but they're pretty wary and I wouldn't want to alter things around the nest that would drive them away.  The camera set-up would have to survive a Montana winter too.

Yes, the redtails seem to be very wary.  The two years that we had a camera up, owls took over the nest.  Took the camera down and the hawks came back.  Maybe a coincidence I don't know but I think you're right about not wanting to alter the surroundings.  I've also heard that the owls are very fierce and if they stake a claim on a nest the redtails may not be able to drive them off.  Earlier this year the hawks were carrying sticks and repairing the nest, but the owls ended up with it.

The camera we used is a Hitachi IKWB-15 security camera and it's outdoor rated.  I wrapped it in camo Goretex fabric with only the lens exposed and it's held up well to blizzards and wind - but probably not Montana type blizzards.  I had a hard time finding info on the best camera to use and ended up with the Hitachi and it's been fine.

[triangleforge]

Beautiful pix -- thanks for sharing!!! 

[Johnny OrganDonor]

Here're some more piictures.  It's fun to wake up every mornnig and see something new happening in the nest.  Just over the last few days, the babies have been quite active - stretching their wings, screaching, hopping out onto adjacent limbs, and tearing away at the nest.  Their plumage and overall appearance is getting pretty adult-like.  The adults just come by to drop off food now and then.  Right now, their whole world is the nest but it won't be long before they're soaring overhead.

Here's a shot of the triplets


The nest is getting pretty crowded for wing flapping




Gotta feel good to stretch and check out that new plumage


Vandalizing the nest - not sure if it's out of boredom or to make room


Screaching for mom to bring in food - "I WANT BAAAAACON"

[Kopfjäger]

How far away are you taking these shots?

[Langanobob]

Those pictures make my day.  Doesn't National Geographic or other organizations/magazines sponsor photography contests?  If I'd taken those pictures I'd enter 'em.

Thanks again for posting them.

[swampduc]

These photos are stunning!

[Johnny OrganDonor]

How far away are you taking these shots?

The nest is probably 60-70 feet from our bedroom window.  These shots are simply taken by opening the windows in the bedroom or den and snapping away.  The adults are pretty skittish so we gotta be careful not to spook 'em - we want 'em to keep coming back.  We don't go over into that part of the yard (or mow ) - we're on five acres so they have about a whole acre to themselves.

[Kopfjäger]

The adults will get used to your movements around the yard, but will be skidish with the little ones still in the nest. You could throw them some fresh meat and see if they go for it. Of course they would love a live mouse or two. 

[Johnny OrganDonor]

The adults will get used to your movements around the yard, but will be skidish with the little ones still in the nest. You could throw them some fresh meat and see if they go for it. Of course they would love a live mouse or two. 

For some reason, they're way more protective this year that previous years.  They'll screach if they even spot us through a closed window (which seems pretty easy for them.)  We try to tread lightly.  I sure don't want to see them get jittery - they've had it pretty tough this year. 

These hawks are pretty special to us.  I wrecked real bad in the fall of '07.  I crunched my Ducati and my pelvis (among other things.)  I was laid up through the spring of '08 but at least I was in a perfect place with nothing to do but watch the hawks as they rebuilt the nest and raised two little ones.  I was able to get around on my own again about hte same time they left the nest last year.  It was amazing and uplifting to watch all four of them soaring together through the summer.

[mitt]

very cool thread all around 

mitt

[Johnny OrganDonor]

I don't mean to be a post whore but the nest is pretty active.  I was out of town for one day and the little one have restless moving out of the nest more.

This one would go out pretty far on a limb, rest a bit, preen a bit, then it would flap back to the nest - probably going through pre-flight testing


Here it is landing back at the nest


In the first shot above, you can see a grisly small-animal carcass on the edge of the nest - here's a close up crop of it with a hawk peeking over


Here is the more active young hawk tearing at the meat

[JBubble]

Absolutely great pics. Thanks for continuing to post them!