Oh that’s great…hopefully many more years of Bobby. I think he is special, too…those eyes!…and how perfectly aware of everything around him, and protective and nurturing of his mate. Bobby rules!!

He’s the most beautiful Hawk I have ever seen. I would guess Bobby is around 10 years old. I posted about a Hawk that was well into its 30s in 2011. Pale Male, the famous Central Park Hawk, is around 30 years old himself!

Thanks for following my site for all this time! The Hawks are so magnetic. Once you get hooked on them it’s difficult to extricate yourself from them. 🙂

Thank you! I was so surprised and happy that I got that shot when I looked through my photos later. I couldn’t have framed the scene better if I tried. 🙂

You pose an interesting question about the tail feather intensity. I don’t think I’ve noticed any distinct variation in color from season to season. Bobby is still molting so you might be seeing the brightness of his brand new tail feather(s) growing in. I am looking forward to winter when his red tail feathers really stick out against the snowy background.

I am not a lover of creepy crawlies and that caterpillar looked as if he was coming out of the picture…straight for me. Brought back memories of taking toys “and stuff” from the pockets of my 6 year old son in a pre wash ritual…UGH…a caterpillar in the pocket mushed on my searching fingers …it only happened once …

Thanks for the photos of our Hawk couple living in the W. Park …Fall approaches…does the plumage on the hawks change in color intensity? The red on Bobby’s tail feathers, almost appears as a flaming orange tag.

Thanks, Carlene. They bring in sticks and other nesting material to help refortify it for next year’s eggs. You’ll see the Hawks occasionally bring in sticks now but they really ramp up that activity in the new year.

There have been many passing Hawks who have briefly stopped in the park over the years but our Hawks never let them stay long. They are great at defending their territory like that. I’ve never once seen a stranger Hawk stop into the nest to have a look at it and perhaps get ideas. It could be a respect thing or that our Hawks wouldn’t give them the chance. Thanks for the questions! It’s fun to share what I’ve observed.

Question: I see that Bobbie occasionally will go to the nest, sometimes bringing a twig. Is there a reason for this? Is it just to keep clear that this is a “claimed” nest and not an abandoned one that some other bird can move in to? Do other birds respect this claim? Seems it must be since they don’t have issues moving back in each spring.

Keep up the beautiful work.