Watching and Waiting: Red-tailed Hawk's Nest Part 1

Wildlife photography may be one of the most romanticized areas of photography - a mental image comes to mind of a rugged person; with a gleam in their eye; donned in lots of khaki; carrying the best equipment; stalking through the jungle; in search of some elusive endangered animal. Yeah right. Maybe for some lucky few, but that has not been my experience. Perhaps one of these days I'll get to go on location for National Geographic and live the dream. But for now, I spend most of my time walking around natural areas or sitting in my truck watching and waiting. Cold, wet and tired comes with the job, but it only takes a few moments to make it all worth it.

I was out recently with some friends hacking at a little white ball (some call it golf), and was lucky enough to spot a pair of Red-tailed Hawks building a nest in a big Cottonwood. And even better, there was good access and a great view from the east side of the tree. So I noted the location and could not wait to get out the next morning and have a closer look. And of course it snowed - hard. Now, some astute readers may be wondering how I get to play golf one day and then it snows the next - Welcome to Colorado in March my friends. And just as it likes to do in March it was sunny and 50 degrees the next few days. A few more days of snow and a few more days of sun over the next 10 days and I have managed to come back to the nest three times.

It has been fun to watch the pair of hawks tend the nest, and it appears there are eggs. I am not sure how much longer until I see hatchlings. So far I have observed them take turns on the eggs, and this morning watched as one delivered what looked to be a mouse to it's mate in the nest. Even though Red-tailed Hawks are one of the most common hawks in North America I consider myself very lucky to be able to observe a pair tend a nest. And even though it may take hours for there to be much action, it is worth the wait.

This post is entitled Part 1 because I intend to continue to observe the nest and report back on their progress over the next few weeks.