Friday, July 02, 2010

I Can FLY!

During the last week of June, we noticed four birds flying from the Cooper's Hawk nest tree. The chicks have fledged!
The gray eyes and vertical stripes on the breast identify these as first year birds. The yearlings will have golden yellow eyes, while the adults have red eyes.
How regal they look, even when they are only a few months old.
Calling is one of their favorite activies. Are they looking for Mom with food or for one of the other siblings?
Flying also lets you drop in for a drink and quick bath in the creek.
I'm always amazed with the miracle of flight. How does these youngsters learn so quickly? Of course, they land and leave without notice so it will be hard to photograph them actually flying. Ah, and the little Ruby Throated Hummingbird came to sip from the Royal Catchfly we planted just for her!

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