Nr. 1 took flight last week while I was out of town. but today we've been enjoying one of the great sights of nature . . . a hawk fledgling's first flight. S/he glided down to our deck's rail from the nest – about 30-40 feet up in a 75 ft. eucalyptus.
Mom and Dad have been keeping house there for almost a decade hatching 2-3 eggs each spring.
For at least the last 3 hours, this babe has been raising/extending wings, while also balancing on one leg. Sorry the pic is so grainy. My better camera is "on-loan"
The moment is near at hand, but I fear it will occur before I can get anything like a decent shot.
His/her brother/sister is soaring about our hill right now, probably offering "traditional" sibling encouragement