My visit to Washington Square Park today was cut short when the two fledglings I had been watching disappeared when flying far north. The first hour was spent watching one fledgling frighten park pigeons by landing in their favorite tree and hanging out there for a while.
I first saw it sitting on an NYU railing outside the park. Note the squirrel silhouette:
The fledgling flew to a tree right inside the park before heading to the pigeon tree:
These two pigeons landed near the fledgling and looked instantly regretful of their decision:
The fledgling did not actively hunt any of the pigeons this time. It instead rested for an hour then hopscotched among a few trees before joining a sibling for some circling above the park square:
They caught some nice thermals and rose higher and higher:
They traveled further north along 5th Avenue. They disappeared for a minute.
I caught sight of a Hawk again but was shocked to see it circling perhaps as far as the 20s. The northern border of Washington Square Park could equate to 6th Street.
Empire State Building tower on the left:
Was that Hawk one of our fledglings? One of the adult Hawks? Was it going to visit Union Square Park nearby? So many questions!
My questions would go unanswered because the Hawk flew east and out of sight. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of the fledglings I saw. We’ve had past fledglings visit Union Square Park before returning ‘home’ to Washington Square Park.
Meanwhile, a couple of news choppers were hovering above 5th Avenue & 8th and 21st Streets (the 21st Street location being where an underground steam pipe exploded this morning):
Distant view of the Empire State Building:
The Fledglings are growing so large!
In a few of the pics, I would have thought the pictured Hawk was Bobby or Sadie…in “person” do they appear larger?
They seem afraid of nothing.
They look extremely close to ‘full size’ but seem to have a little more growing to do. But not much more!
I enjoy all of your photos all the time. Today’s 6th photo was especially beautiful. It looked like a watercolor. Also your framing of the fledgling with the squirrel silhouette was wonderful. Keep up the good work. When will you publish a book of your work? I’m sure it would be a best seller!
Thanks, Diane! That picture (#6) might be my favorite from the day actually. 🙂 If I ever publish a book you guys will be the first to know!
That pic with the silhouette of a squirrel is soooo cool!
It was such a happy accident that I got that shot!