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Archive 2016 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Christian H
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

A week following her mate's death (rat poison), "Mom" went on a speed dating binge and chose this young fellow from among four suitors soaring high above the Philadelphia Museum of Art one morning. He's a two-year-old sporting his first adult plumage. Will they return to the nest on Eakins Oval, or choose some place else on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway? (Will his nest building chops improve? He practically falls out of the tree when he breaks off a small twig.)

1.

the happy couple by Christian Hunold, on Flickr

2.

"T4" with today's breakfast by Christian Hunold, on Flickr

3.

"T4" by Christian Hunold, on Flickr

4.

"T4" by Christian Hunold, on Flickr

5.

"T4" by Christian Hunold, on Flickr

Dec 11, 2016 at 05:46 PM

Chris B.
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

These are simply SPECTACULAR, Christian! If I had to choose, #1 would get my vote...

I haven't watched RTH's in Center City since the nest at The Franklin Institute was removed..

Dec 11, 2016 at 06:01 PM

kwilliam8
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

I hope they both do well together. I really like your images - especially images 2 and 5!
Keith W.

Dec 11, 2016 at 06:03 PM

Christian H
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Chris B. wrote:
These are simply SPECTACULAR, Christian! If I had to choose, #1 would get my vote...

I haven't watched RTH's in Center City since the nest at The Franklin Institute was removed..

Thanks, Chris

The hawks ("Mom" & "T2") abandoned the nest at the FI when all three of their offspring did not survive the summer of 2013. (Well, two died after crashing into the Moore College of Art and Design Building, and the third was rehabbed following a vehicle collision but released somewhere else.) The nest wasn't removed; rather, the hawks chose not to nest there again.

"T2" was killed on the train tracks late that winter (2014). "Mom" and "T3" successfully raised two broods on Eakins Oval in 2015 (2) and 2016 (3).

This all plays out in my neighborhood and has turned into something of a longterm photography project. (I even write about urban ecology and human animal relations in my environmental politics scholarship now.)

Christian

Dec 11, 2016 at 06:25 PM

Tyr-Sog
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

The city-scape adds a unique dynamic not often seen in raptors photos. Even when the background is blown out(#4, buildings?) adds uniqueness.

Wonderful job and great story.

Dec 11, 2016 at 06:54 PM

morris
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

These are all great images yet the first is quite special Christian!

Morris

Dec 11, 2016 at 07:05 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Great shots of these city dwelling hawks. Fitting as I'm about to sit down and watch Planet Earth II's last episode which is all about wildlife living in cities.

TFS
Geoff

Dec 11, 2016 at 08:28 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

An extra nice set Christian ~ Ron

Dec 11, 2016 at 10:37 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

great job on the hawks Christian

Dec 12, 2016 at 03:14 AM

Chris B.
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Christian H wrote:
Thanks, Chris

The hawks ("Mom" & "T2") abandoned the nest at the FI when all three of their offspring did not survive the summer of 2013. (Well, two died after crashing into the Moore College of Art and Design Building, and the third was rehabbed following a vehicle collision but released somewhere else.) The nest wasn't removed; rather, the hawks chose not to nest there again.

"T2" was killed on the train tracks late that winter (2014). "Mom" and "T3" successfully raised two broods on Eakins Oval in 2015 (2) and 2016 (3).

This all plays out in my neighborhood and has...Show more →

I would think that, given your dedication to the "mom" and her successive lovers over the years, they would get to know you as you've certainly gotten to know them. Your shots show the depth of the family relationship and bond, and they are superb.

Chris

Dec 12, 2016 at 05:13 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

And mom didn't even sign up for a matching service, huh

. Excellent images

and yes, I love the structure in the background, something that I do not think I would but in this case, it works really well.

Joshua

Dec 12, 2016 at 05:56 PM

Disaster
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Wow. The city if brotherly love is a tough place to be a hawk. Fantastic shots. Keep them and the updates about their survival coming.

Dec 12, 2016 at 10:15 PM

KirkB
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

Really nice set of images Christian... 3 and 4 are my favorites... #1 is pretty cool too of life in the city. Well done.

Kirk

Dec 12, 2016 at 10:22 PM

terriwh
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Philadelphia Red-tailed Hawks - wherein "Mom" takes a new lover

So good detail on these RTH -

Dec 13, 2016 at 12:59 AM


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