community.kjrh.com

socal:

Gunit, I'm back for a sec only...I have seen them.... Gorgeous. Gunit I'm in to say that I have to go take care of some business for my mom and won't be returning until later afternoon... And I know bobdmac is also busy... If anyone else reading this can observe for us, when the cam is back on the nest... ?? Thanks.... Thanks again Gunit. And per your message on the other thread, bobdmac: "Good morning, Socal. I'd love to step in, but unfortunately my real life calls. I also have issues with my 86-year-old mother to deal with." It is hard when our Moms are so old and need us so much more. Mine is 85... Anyway, good luck with her. You're a good son, obviously. My mom is very lucky to have my brother, my husband and myself. She needs us all! Later, socal

You are welcome Socal - I am out also. 

socal:

Weeyin, Scotland is one place I've always wanted to visit. I've been in London, but that's as close as I've gotten, within the British Isles. My late father was a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (a medic, actually) in the British Isles during WWII. He said it was a lovely bunch of people over there. War was nightmare, though.

4:38. p.m. Socal lucky you for I never did visit London while living at home. To be honest I traveled my own country more and still never got enough, it's like night and day with our different accents and scenery that's beautifully breath taking to harsh wilderness, especially in the highlands.

Nice to hear you're late Father had a wee taste of Scotland and the folks there, while his stay was not under the best of circumstances........people no matter where, can make a difference!

KJRH Webmaster:

I plan to add a LOT more pictures to that slide show. It hasn't been updated in quite some time.

For those of you interested, Kay and Jay first showed up in June 2007 and created quite a stir even then. I've posted a new "video archive" page that pretty much tells the tale.

Here's the link to the Kay and Jay Red Hawk video archive. Let me know if it doesn't work, seem to have had a problem with that page overnight.

Russell this is great! It's working for me... I only have time to look at one for now. I watched the one of the hawks flying near the studio. So awsome.. Anyway thank you! I need to watch them all later tonight, when I get more time.
- socal

KJRH Webmaster:

I plan to add a LOT more pictures to that slide show. It hasn't been updated in quite some time.

For those of you interested, Kay and Jay first showed up in June 2007 and created quite a stir even then. I've posted a new "video archive" page that pretty much tells the tale.

Here's the link to the Kay and Jay Red Hawk video archive. Let me know if it doesn't work, seem to have had a problem with that page overnight.

Oh Russell, this is wonderful, I can't wait to watch them ALL. Can we save the link? Will they always be available? Thanks SO much!

---

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

bville, bobdmac, wings2c and observer...

Thank you so much for your kind words, thoughts and prayers... They are so appreciated...

My dog has been hospitalized for a half day, and I'm to pick her up at 7. They said at her age it might be a brain tumor, or the seizures could be from something else... We'll see. They are catheter/IV -ing her and if she seizures for a 4th time today, they'll give her Valium, then later send her home with Phenobarbitol (sp?) If it's not from a brain tumor, it should work well. If it is a brain tumor, it won't work. Please pray hard.. I'm not ready to lose her right now.

Donna wrote this today. She is still trying to get her blog back up and running. This is about "sexual dimorphism" (female larger than male) (and yes, females have bigger feet than males)...about and parents dealing with the previous year's fledges who want to stay around and pairs dealing with territorial/nest threats.


Donna writes:
All raptor species have reverse sexual dimorphism, ie. the female is larger than the male. Therefore it follows that the female's feet would be bigger. It's tough sexing a bird who is sitting alone but when you see a pair perched side by side then it's usually reasonably easy. Occasionally though you can have a big male and a small female and so they are close in size. The female will still be bigger if one had them in hand and measured. The male and female also have a slightly different skull shape. In Red-tails there is usually about a 25% difference.


People like Jemima Parry-Jones can look at any raptor and tell you sex, age, etc. but she's the tops and has handled them for 30 some years. :-) I've seen her work and she has a spectacular rapor with these birds. It's quite magical. Oh, those Brits. :-)


There has been a tremendous amount of discussion as to why, as opposed to so many other species, that the female is bigger in raptors. Being larger for brooding has been discounted as has most of the other hypothoses. A plus for one bird being larger than the other though it wouldn't have had to be the female is that they can work the same territory and subsist on different prey. A Red-tail female can handily take rabbits but the males rarely do. But the male being smaller can live on fewer calories when prey is more scarce.


For instance, this was a very tough winter in the Midwest, at a certain point all the female Kestrels disappeared. They needed more calories and went further south to find them, but the males needing fewer stayed and looked after things on the home front.


I read a study of some raptors in Australia, which for me held the answer, there are others that do disagree . I think that male Red-tails look around for a territory. They find something suitable and wait for a female to arrive. In the meantime there is a population of unbonded females looking around for a male with a good territory. If two females show up at the same time they fight each other for the male and his territory and the winner gets the male. Thererfore the bigger and stronger female would have a tendency to win, and she reproduces and propagates larger females who in turn will likely win mates with territory.


I found this reinforced at least for me in the behavior of Pale Male and Lola. During breeding season, Red-tail intruders will fly near the nest area while Lola is brooding the eggs. In some cases, she keeps sitting and Pale Male will rather gently "herd" the visitor out of the territory. We surmise these visitors are their young from a previous season. They recognize the son or daughter and usher them away from the nest.


On other occasions, Pale Male will be more aggressive in chasing the inturder out while Lola looks on. But then there are the instances when a Red-tail will arrive, Pale Male goes after it, and Lola turns into a Valkyrie, comes off the nest like a rocket and seriously goes for the intruder. Who usually then high tails it out in fear of live and limb. I surmise these visitors are female and Lola doesn't want another female anywhere near her mate.


Then there are the cases in which a pair of Red-tails encroach on the area. In these cases, I assume, because two birds must be dealt with. Lola comes off the nest in her Valkyrie mode, both birds screaming, and Pale Male's job is to protect the eggs. Because while Lola is dealing with the first RT, the second might come and despoil the nest. Pale flies to the nest and stands over the eggs, while puffing up his feathers and even doing raking of the twigs with his talons in a very butch manner. If because of the vagaries of the fight, if Pale Male has a better angle or Lola is tiring and at some point needs a hand, he'll come off go after one of the pair and Lola will fly back to the nest for a breather. In a piched battle these switches can happen numerous times. I take these instances as a possible invasion to attempt to steal the territory away from PM and L. It doesn't work. In fact it's never even been close.

Donna
http://palemaleirregulars.blogspot.com/

Socal, I think it's fair to say that we love them all--featherbabies and fur-kids, alike. We're pullin' for your pup!

It is deep love, bville, that I have for her... I have my one human kid (my son), and my furry kid -- my "daughter dog". We adopted her from the Humane Society when she was 10 months old, and my son was in third grade. Those two literally grew up together. My son is now 21, and my daughter dog 13... but of course considering dog years, she is now much older than I am at this point... even older than my 85 year old mother, actually now that I think about it! She (my dog) doesn't seem so old, though. She's been a very youthful doggie, with the exception of this seizure business. Well, anyway.. Our furry pets in life are certainly true members of our families. I hope for more time with her.... but only if it means quality time for her...

Socal, my thoughts are with you and your poor dog. I know how much of a family member our pets become, and I hope the drugs help.

---

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one" –– A. J. Liebling

Donna is wrestling with PC and her blog, but sent this (about male and female size difference--and yes, female RTH's have bigger feet), and what they do about last year's fledges when/if they come back to visit during the next year's nesting season, and what bonded pairs do about territorial intrusions, etc.

Donna wrote: All raptor species have reverse sexual dimorphism, ie. the female is larger than the male. Therefore it follows that the female's feet would be bigger. It's tough sexing a bird who is sitting alone but when you see a pair perched side by side then it's usually reasonably easy. Occasionally though you can have a big male and a small female and so they are close in size. The female will still be bigger if one had them in hand and measured. The male and female also have a slightly different skull shape. In Red-tails there is usually about a 25% difference.



People like Jemima Parry-Jones can look at any raptor and tell you sex, age, etc. but she's the tops and has handled them for 30 some years. :-) I've seen her work and she has a spectacular rapor with these birds. It's quite magical. Oh, those Brits. :-)



There has been a tremendous amount of discussion as to why, as opposed to so many other species, that the female is bigger in raptors. Being larger for brooding has been discounted as has most of the other hypothoses. A plus for one bird being larger than the other though it wouldn't have had to be the female is that they can work the same territory and subsist on different prey. A Red-tail female can handily take rabbits but the males rarely do. But the male being smaller can live on fewer calories when prey is more scarce.



For instance, this was a very tough winter in the Midwest, at a certain point all the female Kestrels disappeared. They needed more calories and went further south to find them, but the males needing fewer stayed and looked after things on the home front.



I read a study of some raptors in Australia, which for me held the answer, there are others that do disagree . I think that male Red-tails look around for a territory. They find something suitable and wait for a female to arrive. In the meantime there is a population of unbonded females looking around for a male with a good territory. If two females show up at the same time they fight each other for the male and his territory and the winner gets the male. Thererfore the bigger and stronger female would have a tendency to win, and she reproduces and propagates larger females who in turn will likely win mates with territory.



I found this reinforced at least for me in the behavior of Pale Male and Lola. During breeding season, Red-tail intruders will fly near the nest area while Lola is brooding the eggs. In some cases, she keeps sitting and Pale Male will rather gently "herd" the visitor out of the territory. We surmise these visitors are their young from a previous season. They recognize the son or daughter and usher them away from the nest.



On other occasions, Pale Male will be more aggressive in chasing the inturder out while Lola looks on. But then there are the instances when a Red-tail will arrive, Pale Male goes after it, and Lola turns into a Valkyrie, comes off the nest like a rocket and seriously goes for the intruder. Who usually then high tails it out in fear of live and limb. I surmise these visitors are female and Lola doesn't want another female anywhere near her mate.



Then there are the cases in which a pair of Red-tails encroach on the area. In these cases, I assume, because two birds must be dealt with. Lola comes off the nest in her Valkyrie mode, both birds screaming, and Pale Male's job is to protect the eggs. Because while Lola is dealing with the first RT, the second might come and despoil the nest. Pale flies to the nest and stands over the eggs, while puffing up his feathers and even doing raking of the twigs with his talons in a very butch manner. If because of the vagaries of the fight, if Pale Male has a better angle or Lola is tiring and at some point needs a hand, he'll come off go after one of the pair and Lola will fly back to the nest for a breather. In a piched battle these switches can happen numerous times. I take these instances as a possible invasion to attempt to steal the territory away from PM and L. It doesn't work. In fact it's never even been close.


Donna - Palemale Irregulars

socal:

Our furry pets in life are certainly true members of our families. I hope for more time with her.... but only if it means quality time for her...

socal:  As the mom of three cats (as well as two grown children), I empathize completely. I'm right there with you as you hope for the best of outcomes for your "daughter."

I have 3 elderly cats, one is completely deaf now, but so far, otherwise managing. I have a friend who has a cat, which was rescued from a dumpster, and it had seizures. The vets put it on human anti-seizure medication in small doses and it thrived, did well, and has only had maybe 3 seizures in the 12 years since her rescue. I add my prayers to those of others. They love us unconditionally and we love them back the same way.

Meanwhile, in the raptor department, I thought everybody should know how much drama we've actually been spared in Thunder's fledging. I've talked previously about the San Jose peregrine falcons. Well, one of them just fledged, with less than optimal results, although it may turn out fine. Here's an account by someone who went to downtown San Jose shortly after the fledging. We can be grateful that our Thunder is such a skilled flyer. The account is kind of long, but interesting. The nestlings' names are to be revealed today or tomorrow, but for now, "93p" is the label on the youngster's band.  "52z" and "4r" are his sisters. Carlos and Clara are the parents. "CH" is City Hall.

A bunch of us including Anne.H, Evet, Serena (sp?) were standing at the
corner of 5th and San Fernando after Glenn and Janet left us for the
evening. Shortly after, Jack came by with his dog and I started talking to
him. Then, I decide to join him up on 4thstreet garage since the view from
there was better. As we watch from the rooftop, it gets more windy and 93P
decides to leave his pine tree perch and take a flight towards CH. He gets
closer to the building but is heading to the right edge of the building
about approximately 14th or 15th floor level, on the same face as where the
nestbox is on top. Then, Clara who has been circling meanwhile, flies to him
and flies with him on his right. Carlos, who had been pancaked after making
his food delivery to 52Z and 4R, flies to 93P as well and flanks him on his
left. It was incredible to see both of them trying to guide him towards the
nestbox all the time making calls of encouragement to him . They turn him
towards the building but he is unable to gain altitude and flies into the
building and starts spiraling downwards. At this point, Jack and I decide to
rush downstairs to find him. I run to the elevators on the 6th floor in the
garage and I get to the street (I lost Jack at this time). I run down the
alley way past the Bamboo Gardens and as I pass I see Glenn's box in the
gated section for emergency purposes. I look up and Clara is circling right
above me. I get to 6thstreet and I see 93P sitting on the sidewalk near a
small tree. I stand quite far from him for a couple of seconds assessing
what I should do next. He see's me and decides to run to the middle of the
street. I make a judgement call to catch him since I thought I saw a slight
limp and he wasn't trying to fly. I get to the middle of the street very
slowly and cautiously and he goes into defensive posture- on his back, wings
spread out and beak and talons up and he was panting. I am not sure how I
was going to get the towel around him and a guy in a car across the street
offers to help and he helps me get the towel around him. Then I gently
lifted him and walked back to the gated section Glenn told us about and
tried to open the heavy door with the one free right hand. With some
struggle, I get it to move, I get in, find the box and put 93P in the box,
gently took the towel off him and put back the lid. Then I lifted the box
and walked back to the Bamboo Garden area where I saw Anne.H and she called
Evet for me. After Evet met us we took him into CH to the 15th floor and put
him in the Men's Restroom until Glenn arrived. Tonight he is spending the
night at Evet's office.

---

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one" –– A. J. Liebling

Oh wow. Bobdmac, what a story! Thunder really has been so fortunate. I worried so about Peoria Avenue and it never even came close to being an issue. These urban raptors have so much more to deal with.