portland

In early May we witnessed the fledling taking his first steps around the nest.

Momma Hawk even stepped out of the nest to fly around and give us a better view of the fledgling, roughly one week old in this picture.

By the second week of May, the fledling began to molt. Mom and Dad Hawk spend less and less time with Junior.

In the third week, junior is really starting to show his colors. Molting is in full swing.

Dad takes up position on the fire escape on the next door building to watch my activities.

Mom like to watch us from about 35 yards away on the same level as us.

Near the end of the month, junior is pacing in his area. We are begining to watch very closely as we expect him to attempt flight anytime. The little white marks in the picture are rain.

May 31 and Junior is practicing take-offs. There are lots more pictures of this timeframe but not enough room here to show them all. Get the book to see more pictures in Hi-Definition.