Hawks in the storm

[Kelli Frame <kframe at xmission dot com>]

You know, I told her she shouldn't build her nest right in the tippy top
of that tree. The old nest is in a much more sheltered and stable spot,
about 5-6' down. PLUS, the lower nest had branches all around it, so
that when the babies ventured out, they had a place to stand.

Anyway, I was at the cemetery with my scope when the storm hit. Mamahawk
was on the nest, and she just hunkered down really low, protecting the
eggs and keeping herself from getting tossed out as the top of the tree
swayed deeply in the wind. I couldn't see her at all. She's never sat so
low that I couldn't see her.

Dadhawk kept flying up with branches as if he were trying to reinforce
the nest (have I mentioned how much I like this guy?), and finally just
headed for cover when the storm got too fierce. He went to a nearby tree
and waited it out. Mamahawk hunkered down low on the eggs for about 20
minutes until the storm cleared and the sun came out, and then slowly
raised her head. She was SOAKED! It was sad. I did not see Dadhawk
reappear before I left.

Kelli

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