Franklin Institute Red-tail Hawks Photo Gallery by C_W_I_D

Franklin Institute Red-tail Hawks

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”

:: The Adventure Continues... ::

				Pointers from Dad






		Fine mess I've gotten myself into	Now what....
Maybe they won't see me here	Slippery	Trying one more time	...just a little short on the landing	Rick to the rescue
Rick checking out my wing....	I am okay!	My hero!!	Off to my new home, safe and sound!	Mom bringing dinner
Where did they all go?	Papa looking for Portico and sister..	Found him on the roof!	Fly feathers still in casing	Landings still need a little work
It's ok....	I'll try walking up to the ledge	I think the tree is better	Mom has dinner	Looks like mouse or rat...whatever
	Calling me for dinner	Where are you going with dinner?	I like this view!	Peek-a-boo
Mom leaving	Long way down	Perspective	I think I can...	I think I can...
Yep, I can....	OK here I go...	Nah, I think I 'll wait!	Mom?
What a view!	What are all those people looking at?	I am cute, aren't I?	Let me think....	What can I do next?
Here comes Mom...	Just hanging around	Mom is checking on us	Here I am...	Mom ... wait for me
Wait....darn pole	Oops...	Whew...	Mom	Mom is a little wet from the rain
	I am getting better...	Look....	no hands...	Showing off
	The practice runway	Wheee......	Hmmm	What are they getting into now?
I am getting so good at this
		Hmmmm- who is that down below?	Oh boy..it's my fan club!	Showing off for the hawkaholics
			I caught breakfast!	Look...all by myself!
		Here I come...
			Touchdown!	One day that mockingbird will be sorry
Photo of dad by Della	A hawk and the big city	Still around - Sunday, July 12	and still being haunted by mockingbirds	My stern look....
My cute look....for those ladies down there	Looking for my family	Cute wins every time!

comment |

Judy		28-Feb-2010 19:47
Wonderful photos! Will there be a webcam this spring?

Guest		07-Jul-2009 00:38
thanks Kay! I check this site every day hoping for more of your wonderful pics- I see Della is taking some too- you guys are terrific- now all we need is a new edition of the Eyass Diary! mmggolfer

kittymom24		06-Jul-2009 23:49
Gorgeous pics Kay!!

carditoo		02-Jul-2009 11:22
Oh, Kay! What fun we had yesterday. So happy that you're back to record the eyasses progress for the hawkaholic nation.

Guest		02-Jul-2009 02:34
p.s. the captions are really priceless!!! mmggolfer

Guest		02-Jul-2009 02:30
from mmggolfer- welcome back Kay- missed your photos of our family! The new ones are fabulous- I knew I should have come down to meet you and cardi and sunny today- next time- meanwhile, can you tell who is who? Portico? Miss Piggy? I can't see tails to see if Mom and Dad are pictured- but they all look wonderful. THANK YOU! Hope Sunny continues her eyass diary with captions!

Cathy		26-Jun-2009 19:18
Hawaholic from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, watching since April before the hatching! Empty nest syndrome is much relieved with your June updates. Thanks!

Barbara K.		26-Jun-2009 13:28
These Pics are so cool. You're a very talented photographer! Keep up the good work.

Beth		20-Jun-2009 20:32
Awesome pics Kay. Great camera work.

Linda		19-Jun-2009 15:33
I have been watching everyday from NewYork since the eggs hatched, its been great and your photograpy is great. Thanks

Linda		19-Jun-2009 11:26
Have Been watching from Michigan. Kay, your Photo Gallery is Awesome! Thank you for sharing.

Guest from Upper Bucks		19-Jun-2009 11:07
Thank you for sharing these special "moments" with us! This collection is a treasure.

Guest		18-Jun-2009 15:08
Thanks for all the hard work and beautiful pictures. What an amazing experience. Hope we'll see a return next year.

Guest		16-Jun-2009 14:26
Thanx Kay, Great pics...... been watching from S.C.

Guest		16-Jun-2009 01:59
Thanks so much! These are great. I've been watching since they were first hatched, and now it's disappointing to see the empty nest even though I know they have to go

spiritBrn		12-Jun-2009 20:19
It's been an awesome,humbling jouney! Thanks from Ct.

guest		12-Jun-2009 19:08
Kay, your photos are terrific, it has been wonderful to watch the babies grow up, hope they all make it !

Keebs546		12-Jun-2009 19:06
Kay, You and your photos have raised all of us to soar with the hawks. Thank you for sharing your gift. Between watching Phoebe & Jewel (hummingbirds) Aggie & Chiq (great horned owls) and Bonnie Blue & Eli (bluebirds) I have had the most wonderful spring and a rebirth of appreciation for God's gifts to us.

Guest		12-Jun-2009 19:01
Kay, You and your wonderful photography are a gift to so many of us. Thank you so much. Thanks also to the rest of the hawkaholics for the camaraderie through thrills and chills of watching 'our' babies grow up.

Dianne Bass		12-Jun-2009 13:17
Kay,thankyou. Amazing photos and a brilliant presentation. As a full scale nature lover with a protected property for birds butterflies, skunks,racoons,etc. it is a pleasure to see your work. D

Pandora		12-Jun-2009 13:15
Beautiful photos . . . thanks so much. I've been watching the hawks since March and greatly appreciateyour effort.

Guest		12-Jun-2009 10:37
MLHE: Kay, Thanks once again. Gorgeous slideshow!

J&K		12-Jun-2009 02:19
This is a great experience to be able to see all the action up close & personal Thank you all at Franklin Institute J&K

Peg		11-Jun-2009 22:41
It has been a wonderful experience for us all. Kay, your pictures have been the frosting on the cake! Peg

Guest		11-Jun-2009 21:01
Thank you, thank you ,Thank you from North Carolina.

Hananh Kessler		11-Jun-2009 17:01
thank you so much for these amazing photos! they are too cute for words! our little babies are growing up so fast!

spelunker		11-Jun-2009 15:32
Is the most immature eyeass interacting with its siblings and/or its parents anymore off-camera? Is it eating/being fed since the observation was made that it is not ready to fly and, therefore, unable to hunt? Rick suggested that it was very weak when he encountered it and that it had a voracious appetite in his brief care. This whole experience is very emotional for some of us viewers and the current circumstances are somewhat disconcerting. I wonder if it's time to end the ustream project since we are, for the most part, visually disconnected from the haggards and eyeasses.

WG in Watertown Wisc.		11-Jun-2009 11:46
TOTALLY AMAZING photos...BRILLIANT!!!!!! They give me goose bumps looking at them!!!!

Eileen Manglass		10-Jun-2009 21:13
I too want to join in saying how much I've enjoyed the webcam, the community, the photos and updates! I so appreciate the effort; it made my winter in Maine bearable!

Enver Larney		10-Jun-2009 20:25
Thanks guys...I have been watching since early March. Their names are Destiny, Indigo and Orville.Hope they all soar and have a wonderful spot outside Philly to live. www.enver.net

Steve K		10-Jun-2009 17:04
I walked by at 5:30 this morning and the chick in the nest was extremely vocal (hungry or lonely). Has anyone seen this one getting any food deliveries since she has been back?

makalani		09-Jun-2009 23:25
Aloha from the Pacific - a friend in Delco showed me the FI webcam. Congrats on the successful recovery and return of Miss Piggy. Keep up with the great shots, Kay! Thanks for posting these here.

rubyp28		09-Jun-2009 23:22
i see 3 hawks in the nest now. it is 716pm tuesday night. is miss piggy back or is that mom and day with the baby? and also where is baby #2?

Guest		09-Jun-2009 21:17
Thank you Franklin Institute, Kay, Rick and everyone else involved with making this "Hawkdom" experience one that I will never forget. I can only hope that Mom and Dad will return next year so we can do it all again.

Guest		09-Jun-2009 18:25
Was at the FI from 715 - noon today: one in nest all am, one on parapet/capital 715-1130, then flew onto roof. Parent flew to roof 3 times but no food drop offs noted.

Maria		08-Jun-2009 17:55
Thank you to everyone for the pictures and the updates, our elementary school students are just fascinated by our hawks.

Schtinkerbell		08-Jun-2009 17:32
Wow- Miss Piggy ate two whole rats yesterday! I could only eat one.... So glad to hear that she's safe now and being well cared for. Kay- what can we say other than thank you so much for the amazing pictures. They are truly incredible. Rick, what you do is so wonderful. Your rescue, without any concern for your own safety, was tremendous!

Schtinkerbell		08-Jun-2009 14:08
Wow- Miss Piggy ate two whole rats yesterday! I could only eat one.... So glad to hear that she's safe now and being well cared for. Kay- what can we say other than thank you so much for the amazing pictures. They are truly incredible. Rick, what you do is so wonderful. Your rescue, without any concern for your own safety, was tremendous!

rubyp28		08-Jun-2009 11:16
I have been watching the hawks since The story was ran and 6ABC. I guess now the last hawk and left the nest. I just hope all 3 of the hawks will do ok in the wild and come back next year to lay their eggs in the nest. thanks for the great pics and thanks for getting to miss piggy fast.

CatNurse		08-Jun-2009 03:58
From the other side of the country I've been watching my hometown baby hawks. I just want to say thank you to the whole crew who have so lovingly cared for these birds and from the very beginning and for having the forethought to have an arrangement in case of trouble. These birds could not have been in better hands. Thank you!!!

Melanie Ice		07-Jun-2009 22:29
Thank you Franklin Institute for putting up a safe nest and webcam for us to watch the hawks and Kay for the great pictures and Rick for doing such an awesome job saving the baby hawk. I was so worried about them fledging close to the highway but felt reassured when I read that the F.Institute had contacted you and made you aware of the possible situation.

Tom		07-Jun-2009 21:36
I'm so haappy to have been a spectator over these last few weeks. You guys with the pictures and the rescue and the nest box are all such wonderful people thank you! It has been a great ride!

Rick		07-Jun-2009 20:21
Hello. Thank you for posting these pictures. I can see why you call her "Miss Piggy", she ate TWO whole rats today at the Wildlife Clinic! She is rather underweight, which has me concerned, but she will fatten up quickly. Also, her primaries are only 2/3 out of the casings...she was definitely too young to fly. That's why she couldn't get lift.

Maureen		07-Jun-2009 12:28
Thanks to everyone that made this possibe, from the carpenter that made the deck, to Rick for quick rescue, Kay for the fabulous photojornalism, and Gene Mancini and staff of FI. These birds are magnificent raptors, you've provided a wonderful window view of the nesting trials and tribulations of urban birds. And we all held our breath.

Denise		07-Jun-2009 00:51
Thank you so much for the window of the world of nature. I have been watching them since they were young everyday and really enjoyed every minute of this. Also thanks so much for the great update of the photos also.I know you will take care of the one that did not make it back to the nest, and I hope all goes well for the last two. Thanks very much to the Franklin Institute!!!

Beth		07-Jun-2009 00:24
Kay your photos are absolutely wonderful. I am in NC but I am originally from PA. I have been following the hawks since a little after they hatched. Your photos have made this even better for everyone.

Sharon		07-Jun-2009 00:10
I've been forwarding your photos to all my friends here in Austin. Thanks so much for giving us a bird's eye view of the Hawks from outside the building. This was a difficult day and your updated shots demonstrate that you have gone well beyond the call of duty. Thanks again, Sharon

graayhound		06-Jun-2009 23:42
Your pictures are beautiful. You'll never really know how many people appreciate your time and efforts. Thank you from all of us @ Hawkaholics Anonymous!

fortyniner		06-Jun-2009 23:40
Kay, your fantastic pictures (as usual) and your comic captions gave this hawkaholic some much needed comic relief. I wasn't able to go on ustream until 3:30ish when I started seeing posts about a problem with one of our "babies". I'm so thankful it sounds like "Piggy"'s going to be okay and that you were there with your trusty camera to show all of us her rescue & her wonderful rescuer.

JAJinPA		06-Jun-2009 23:32
Kay, great job on the photos! :-) Way to catch the rescue and wonderful captions on the pics.

MaryAnne		06-Jun-2009 23:24
Kay, Thanks once again for your remarkable photographs! Once again, you've captured the dramatic events of the day brilliantly.

Cin		06-Jun-2009 23:07
Thanks to all who have provided the technology to view this wonderful feat of nature. I have been following the hawks since their birth and have learned so much. Kay, thanks for the photos and updates. Each day I look for three nestlings and worry until they are accounted for through your updates. As others have said I will miss them when the nest is empty.

Guest		06-Jun-2009 22:35
Thanks, I love birds, and watching this has been amazing.

M		06-Jun-2009 18:16
I've been fallowing the hawks with my grand children and son. Exciting photo journalism. Thank you for sharing with us.

Ted G		06-Jun-2009 16:41
Have been watching FI Hawk's nest progress here in Denver, CO for past few months. Your fantastic pics have given us a complete view of the nest activity. Great Job! Thanks so much!

Sue W		06-Jun-2009 14:32
Kay, thanks for your time, talents and your sharing these magnificent photos of the FI hawks. A co-worker and I have been watching since the beginning and this gives us another persceptive of the family. Love it, thanks.

Louise		06-Jun-2009 01:46
Thank you FI for this magnificent experience and to all who have posted pictures and comments. I learned of the hawk cam from my daughter who works at FI. Now I and a whole contingent from Southwest Florida watch daily.

Tom		06-Jun-2009 00:18
Great shots! Thanks for posting and sharing with us.

Guest		05-Jun-2009 21:12
Kay what fabulous photos. I think you and the FI should submit a story and pictures to National Geographic Magazine. What fun this hawk watch has been.

Linda		05-Jun-2009 21:08
Thank you Franklin Institute and Kay.Please do it again next year.

bonnie		05-Jun-2009 19:38
Hi Kay, Your wonderful pics add to our whole hawk experience this spring in such a fabulous way. If I may ask, how did you get the pics in a way that seems to be level with the nest? Most of the photogs when I am there say they just get the bottom of the nest -and those on the ledge of course. Your pics seem right up next to the nest. Again, thanks for the enjoyment you have given to us.

Guest		05-Jun-2009 18:48
Wow! It is a great treat to see Kay's wonderful shots of these hawks in such a variety of positions, in flight and otherwise. They really help one appreciate the beauty, the magnificence of these creatures. Thank you.

Rick		05-Jun-2009 17:55
This has been a great experience. Thank you everyone who helped with allowing us to watch this magnificent example of nature. Hope you can do this again. I will miss this webcam. Thanks, Kay, for sharing your great photos. This has been a great teaching tool for young and old..

Sandy		05-Jun-2009 17:21
Thanks so much for sharing your heartwarming photos..........you're a great photographer. Like so many others, I have been consumed with watching the three hawks from their early stages of life. Having the opportunity to observe their daily activities and see them mature has given me a greater appreciation for their existence. I, too, am concerned about baby #3 as I haven't seen her since Wednesday. One of the remaining two babies seems hesitant and not sure of herself....she hasn't ventured far. I know I will cry the day they are all gone.

Carol		05-Jun-2009 17:12
Is baby three okay ?????

Pat		05-Jun-2009 10:27
Kay, Thanks so much for sharing your photos of the hawks. It has been a wonderful experience to watch them hatch and grow from the beginning. How fortunate we all are that they decided to build their nest outside the window of the FI, where a live feed could be hooked up. Not very often do we get to see the entire process from birth to flight in such detail. Thanks again for sharing.

ML		05-Jun-2009 00:31
I watched baby # 3 fly in from the trees and over the Vine St. and crash land this morning onto the very narrow ledge above the nest (mom right behind). It stood still for awhile, then tiptoed all the way along it to the left, siblings watching, mom on the roof above being harrassed by a mockingbird. Finally, it flew up onto the pointed roof above the doors. It flapped there, with mom and dad doing flyby lessons. I guess it still hasn't found its way back down into the nest? Has anyone seen it after 3 p.m.?

terry kubiak		04-Jun-2009 23:11
Tahnk you for the great photo's. The site has been great and this is just a great addition. Thanks again

Guest		04-Jun-2009 21:32
What happened to baby #3? I missed something.

Maureen		04-Jun-2009 19:50
Kay- thanks for your great photos. I have been watching and reading daily posts since the nest was 1st constucted. Today like everyone am concerned about #3 that has been out on her own for the day. Will miss watching daily when they leave the nest for good.

Tanya Coffman Shifflett		04-Jun-2009 16:42
Hi Kay. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for capturing and sharing these wonderful, amazing photos! My friend, Stacey Moyers, works at the FI and told me about the hawk nest. I was so tickled I shared it with my co-workers here at James Madison University in Virginia and three of us have watched them ever since! We TRULY are THANKFUL for the FI posting a live cam for the world to see how nature is GENTLE, AMAZING and COURAGEOUS. I'll surely miss seeing these beauties but can say I've enjoyed watching them thanks to the Franklin Institute.

Pam Cahill		04-Jun-2009 16:41
Thank you so much for the wonderful photo's of the baby hawks. I have been watching them everyday since birth. I sure am gonna miss them.

Dianne		04-Jun-2009 16:21
An amazing memory for spring 2009. Will miss the daily reports and the excitement of watching the progress of these magnificent raptors. Thank you for the photos. Dianne

Melissa		04-Jun-2009 14:29
Your pictures are lovely! Thanks so much for providing them, it's nice to see another view!

Guest		04-Jun-2009 02:52
Kay, your pictures are breathtaking. It doesn't hurt that you have something so beautiful to work with! Praying for baby #3. MissPattyAnn

Evelyn		04-Jun-2009 01:56
Thank you so much for taking these beautiful (professional) pictures and sharing them with us. This was such an exciting thing to experience. I am just praying that #3 will find his/her way home. God Bless

Guest		31-May-2009 11:20
Wonderful photography. Thanks ever so much. Annette

jackie		31-May-2009 01:25
Kay, thanks so very much for the amazing photos. So nice meeting you this morning. My son loved seeing the photos as you were taking them!Especially the "lift-off" photo!

koke_		31-May-2009 00:10
Kay,Excellent shots of the 3 "Babies"! Been down to the FI and saw the 3-some and got some nice shots myself but yours are fantastic! Its just amazing to see the Hawks.Again, Excellent Job!!

C_W_I_D_P		30-May-2009 11:06
Kay, These photos are awesome. Congratulations. Dee

Margaret Rogers		29-May-2009 19:34
Kay this is just awesome! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures and congrats to you on getting published!

Lynda Reneau		29-May-2009 11:50
Kay I am so proud of you!!!

Annette		28-May-2009 14:58
Thanks for the photos. They are great!

Maryann		28-May-2009 13:58
What great shots, thanks so much for giving us a closer look.

Peg W		28-May-2009 03:24
Wonderful pictures of our hawklets - the let us see them from a completely different perspective. Hasn't this been an amazing thing for our area?

Guest		26-May-2009 22:26
Thank you so much for the pictures, my students will love them!

Peggy		26-May-2009 14:48
I for one have so enjoyed watching these lovely birds grow. We have red tailed hawks who nest near us each year but have not been able to see the babies. This is a treat and thank you for sharing the beauty with your pictures.

Guest		26-May-2009 14:30
Thanks for these great photos! I've visited the nest with my opera glasses, but you've provided much better views. Today it's cool and will probably be rainy, so they're nesting; but soon we'll see them in the air -- last evening it looked as if one was about to take off, scary but fascinating. I am especially grateful for the demise of a number of pigeons on the Parkway!

Guest		26-May-2009 13:25
Thanks for the pics, they are wonderful. The first thing I do when I wake up, is check on the babies. I will be sad to see them go. Wish I could be there to see them LIVE, but Live in Louisiana and that would be a little far to travel.LOL :)

pat giacabetti		25-May-2009 22:02
Thanks for these photos. I have been watching these babies since they hatched. I feel like I am watching my grandkids. Don't know what I will do when they leave the nest. Your photos are beautiful. Thanks again.

Lkelley		25-May-2009 20:55
Kay, These pictures are amazing. I went down to the FI with my dinky little camera, but could not get good pictures. You also captured some great views! Thanks!

Margie		25-May-2009 18:28
Gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much for posting them. How high up is the nest on the building?? From the cam pictures it seems that they are very high up.

Guest		25-May-2009 16:33
Pictures are great thanks so much they are just too cute. WinksMom

Guest		25-May-2009 16:04
OMG, Thank you so much for the pictures!You can really tell what size the really are.Absoluteely wonderful shots, thanks again!!

Della Micah		25-May-2009 15:59
Kay - it was great meeting you on Saturday down at the Franklin Institute - you showed me some of your pictures on your camera and gave me the website info. These pictures are STUNNING - much better view than my binoculars, even! Della

Guest		25-May-2009 14:30
Kay, thank you so much for these wonderful photos! You've done some amazing work here, and it's so generous of you to be sharing them with all of us.

Guest		25-May-2009 02:28
Kay, Thank you so much! These are fabulous pictures- I was down there today and some other visitors lent me their binoculars to see the babies up close, but your pictures are breathtaking! I have been following them since they hatched and before, and will miss them when they fly away, but now I can enjoy your pictures along with those on the FI web site forever.

C_W_I_D_P		27-Apr-2009 17:35
What a great story and illustration ! I love that they were able to help the hawk without upsetting the balance of nature Very Cool. Jeanette

Elle-Cie		27-Apr-2009 00:37
Great gallery. I love to photograph the red tailed hawks but never been close enough to get the nest.

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