It all starts around May of each year. That’s when Mama and Papa hawk have made their way back to their breeding territory after migrating thousands of kilometres.

I have to say, to go for a walk in the neighbourhood, stop to take pictures of them both and not have them swoop or yell at you, is super relaxing!

So excited to see three babies in the nest tree today! Second year in a row!

They’ve not fully fledged and their head feathers aren’t all there yet.

And yes, Mama is right there watching us. She’s not too happy. We didn’t stick around too long.

Finally seeing the babies out of the nest tree.

Have been seeing them hanging out on rooftops, treetops and wires in their neck of the woods.

I went to see the babies earlier in the afternoon. Funny, I managed to get an almost perfect shot of one of them in flight but those pesky power lines were right in front of them.

But it was later in the day when I had the most amazing experience with the baby hawks to date.

It was late afternoon. Time for another bike ride to see if I could spot my avian friends. I rode all the way to the end of the alley – nothing. No one is around. Well that’s weird, I guess I’ll go home.

As I pedalled my way along, I noticed something moving in the tall grass to my right. What is that? Oh. My. Goodness. All three babies are in the grass having dinner! I stopped immediately, fumbling to turn the camera on. How did I miss that on my way up??

They are so close that I can’t get all 3 in frame with my Sigma 150-600mm lens – even zoomed all the way out. In hindsight, I could have taken my phone out of my pocket and get the shot that way but I was so enamoured with what was happening in front of me that I stuck with the big camera. I’m glad I did.

One by one the babies finished eating and flew up to the trees and rooftops close by. That is when I took what I believe are my best photos of anything, ever. I finally left the scene once all the babies flew off in different directions. And that, my friend, is the story of my best birding outing ever.

Saw all three babies lined up along the pathway railing. Can you spot all 3 of them?

Speaking of railings… The little ones are still working out the best way to perch and stay perched on the rounded metal railings. They do a little jig until they get it just right.

The young ones seem to be quite active in the middle of the afternoon. It’s a great time to capture them learning to be raptors. Everything about them is fascinating to me.

Sightings are getting fewer and farther between. Well, more like I haven’t had the chance to get out there. But when I do, I sure love it when I see a couple of them together.

Another homage to the hawks – sculpted from polymer clay. Roughly ½ scale of a real baby hawk. I started this sculpt in April and just finished it the beginning of September.

I am very new to this medium and I had all sorts of issues and dilemmas throughout the sculpt. The feet are way too big, lol. I’m not completely happy with the colours either but for a first go of it, it’s not too, too bad?? The “branch” is real.

We have named him Max.