Springpark, Garland, Texas

Red-shouldered Hawks are common in North Texas. This nesting site in a Sycamore tree has been used by these hawks for at least five years. The young chicks are very curious about the world outside the nest, but mom is very protective and will chase away any photographers who try to get too close. The male typically leaves the area once the chicks are large enough for mom to leave the nest to hunt. She stays and continues to hunt for her chicks until they have fledged and adult wing feathers have replaced their weaker juvenile feathers. Then she leaves and her chicks are on their own.