Red-shouldered Chicks in nest in Jun 2008

Taken with Canon 40D, 100-400mm lens. These babies are in a parking lot just off of Smith Ranch Road near the freeway. The nest is used each year, and the lucky people who work in the office building get to watch the babies gulp down large and small rodents.

Monday, June 2, they are there and they are already BIG!
There's a bug!
Some older snack . . .
Hunkered down in the wind
Turning around on a tiny branch is even trickier!

One still has a little fuzz, but by the next day it is gone.
Got it!
The zoomed out view
Thursday, June 5. I get here early before the sun reaches the nest. Before I can get my camera at the ready, Mom flies overhead with a giant rodent dangling. Here she is landing on the nest with bloody bits still clinging to her beak. Apparently the nest has a back room, because I can see movement of feathers. Clearly the youngsters are chowing down back there out of sight.

Tuesday, June 3. One of three has taken to wing--a short flight to another branch.
All three in the nest makes for a crowd!
Wednesday, June 4--it's extremely windy, but it's breakfast time.
The one that can fly is coming in for an awkward landing on a branch nearby.
whew!