Update 05/22/2010: One of the chicks has ventured way out on a limb. It's taking its time moving around flapping its wings occasionally.
Update 05/26/2010: Both chicks are now roosting out on limbs away from the nest. One hopped several feet between two widely spaced limbs using its wings. It's not long before they'll fly.
Update 05/28/2010: Just saw one chick perched in the nesting tree. Mama was waiting around in the tree as well. I don't know if the other was just staying down in the nest or flew off.
Update 05/29/2010 - AM: It looks like both young hawks are now fledglings. I spotted one back behind our house on a tall tree. Mama made a brief appearance beside the fledgling with a catch but flew off before the young hawk could grab a bite. I guess that's Mama's way to encourage the fledgling to fly. I noticed the other young hawk was still perched in the nesting tree testing its wings. I left to see if I could get some photos of Mama and the fledgling down near the creek/woods but didn't have much luck. When I got back to the nesting tree the other young hawk was gone. (It could be down in the nest but that's not normal for early morning.) Hopefully the fledglings will hang around the nesting area like last year's fledglings so I can get a few more good shots.
Update 05/31/10: Both fledglings are doing well. Mama didn't seem to spend much time this morning hunting for food. She seems to be encouraging the fledglings to look for their own food now that they can fly. Last year's fledglings spent time in my backyard looking for tasty things in our backyard lawn. (I don't use insecticides or herbicides in the lawn.) Small skinks are plentiful and I'm always stirring up a bunch when I mow the back yard.
Update 6/10/2010: The two fledglings are doing well. They are spending more time in our back yard looking for things in the grass. This gives me an opportunity to get some nice close-up shots at near eye level since they like the lower branches of our trees. I haven't seen much of Mama hawk lately. I haven't seen the male since the young hawks started to fly.
Wow, This is simply amazing, These are Beautiful Photographs.
Thank You! for sharing this wonderful experience taking place in our own neighborhood. Marc W. Moss