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10:42 A.M. and Thunder is alone in nest sleeping.  Wind blowing, gray and cloudy.

11:00 - 11:03 A.M. Thunder is awake and on the railing at 9.  He was flapping his wings and bouncing up and down on the railing multiple times.  At first I thought he was losing his balance due to the winds, however he then went over to the outside area of the nest and then came back upon the railing and repeated the bouncing with wings flapping.  Definitely was doing this on purpose.  He would "lift" approximately an inch each time.  It won't be long now till he's trying his wings and flying for real.

12:15 - Thunder is alone in the middle of the nest facing 3.  She has a small bird under her feet and is pulling out feathers.  This is the first time I have seen her preparing prey for herself.  She "gets it" as far as what to do but she left is lying in the middle of the nest and is now on the railing at 9 facing 3.

I am already sad about seeing Thunder go.  Thank you KJRH for allowing us to view this experience. 

12:55 - Thunder is in the center of the nest facing 3 and pecking at the bird prey at her feet.  She doesn't seem to be making too much progress in getting the feathers off.  She backs up on to the railing at 9, the wind pushes her backwards.  She quickly gets back into the nest and goes to 12 facing out at 1.

15:40 - F in nest at 12 facing 3, she is tearing at prey, eating and feeding Thunder.  Thunder is in nest at 6 facing 3.  Thunder looks almost as big as Kay.

15:50 - F flies out towards 3, Thunder alone in nest still pecking at what looks to be the same bird carcus from earlier, only now Kay and Thunder have eaten most of it.

16:44 Wow, Thunder looks like a healthy young hawk now. It is amazing what a couple of days means to the growth of a young one in the wild. I am happy to see it is eating on it's own now and able to tear apart it's own food source. I was worried, without food competition, it may be difficult for Thunder to develop as quickly with this need.

Standing on rail at 9:00 The wind seems strong, but it is holding it's own. Prey remains in the center of the nest.

16:45 Steps down into nest. Looking at prey in nest and picks at it. Beginning banding showing on tail. Head feathers in. However there appears to be downey feathers between the eyes. Has white markings over eyes and back now mottled.

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The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

18:56  Thunder standing on rail at 9 facing wind.  Lifting right leg and looking at it then putting it down to stand on the elbow(?) of the right leg.  Then standing on left leg only.  Very balanced.  Steps down into nest and then back onto the rail.  I wonder if he will have the white eyebrows of Jay?  He looks full grown and has such a beautiful color on his chest.  Life, at it's richest.  A full summer ahead for a young hawk to enjoy.  He had better enjoy his afternoon naps - soon he will not have time for a nap.

 

19:25 Thunder still on rail, looking about balancing in the wind at 9.  Vocalizing several times.

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'Security—does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.' Helen Keller

19:35 Making me very nervous. Jumping over the rail now. Lost balance at the edge of the platform. Doesn't like walking on the sticks. Cam pans to the left and the adult is standing there. She jumps onto rail at 7:00. She is looking at left over prey in nest, then Thunder decides to look too. She is looking like "what a mess".

19:38 Jumps into nest (Adult) and picks up prey. Begins to eat it. Thunder remains on the outside of the rail watching. Compared to her, Thunder does seem small, still.

19:43 Adult picking feathers off prey, as Thunder stands in the same place watching. Twisting head and almost looking upside down, at times. Mom offering food the Thunder who doesn't partake. So she eats the meal. Offers again. Thunder takes a few steps toward her, but doesn't take food.

19:45 Jumps over rail and takes food. Mom is still feeding Thunder. Literally, shredding bird.

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The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

19:56 Flailing wings at edge of platform. Settles down and stand watching out over the land. Not keeping balance on sticks. Turns around, FINALLY, and walks toward the rail. Nope....back to the edge, again. Ok back up on the rail and into the nest. Adult has left.

20:00 Up on the rail at 9:00. Walks down the rail and jump right on the edge again! Preening. Ok, my nerves are shot. Someone else take over.

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The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

9:05, 76 with NE wind at 9 MPH.

Thunder laying still in nest. Don't even see wind ruffling feathers. quiet.

9:11 Thunder is facing 11:00 with head out of view because of rail. He just jerked body suddenly, lifting left wing up a little over back, as if asleep, settled right back down.

Current temperature 58 degrees, winds from North 8 mph, partly cloudy. High today will be 72 degrees with winds from NE 10mph.  Thunderstorms tonight into tomorrow morning.   

07:35 - Thunder alone in nest moving from side to side and preening feathers.

07:52 - Thunder has been sitting on the railing at 3 for several minutes. Her back is to the wind looking towards 9. 

08:35 - Thunder is still there.  She has not moved off that railing.  She is looking at the higher railing just under the camera at 6.  She leans that way and looks over there but has not tried to go over yet.

08:40 - Thunder is outside the nest area on the platform toward 9.  The camera has followed her there.  She is flapping, getting off the "ground", floating a little.   She is getting awfully close to the edge.

08:46 - She is back in the nest area and has gone in the direction of 3.  Camera out of range.  Camera found her, she is sitting at 3 looking toward 6.

Exciting morning and to think she has had no breakfast yet.

8:45, 57 and mostly cloudy, N wind 7 MPH.

Thunder standing over to far right facing 9:00.

There is a small bird on the ground just below Thunder, I see feathers ruffling. I was not aware they took birds as prey "as a rule". Interesting!

Thunder is looking around, looks down at prey, preens a little.

What an amazing thing we have all been allowed to witness!

10:04 Male arrives at 3:00 with prey and just about knocks hawklet over. Lands on rail at 9:00. Hawklet takes prey from adults talon and begins eating. Adult leaves. Prey is between it's feet. Using it's talons to grip, now. A little awkward and off balance, but working the prey nicely. Good to see it taking the initiative now.

10:07 Stops eating and focusing outside of the nest at 7:00. Appears to follow something, at times.

10:11 Resumes with prey but continues to look around nervously, as well. Tearing prey and eating, now.

 

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The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown

11:52 Thunder is on the platform and has been flapping continually.  Camera person is following very closely - they're as anxious as we are!  T. looking with great interest all around and appears to be getting very restless.  Now sitting on curb at 9, looking around.  Back on platform outside main nest.

I'm having a panic attack watching T. go so close to the edge and am wishing that this was a tree and she had some branches...