Nest Vacancy

After the two young hawks learned to fly, the entire family headed elsewhere.  Sometimes they will hang around the area, but not this family.  It was a fun several months of watching the parents and chicks.  Hopefully, they, or another raptor will use the nest next year.  This really wasn't the climactic ending to the series on the hawks that I had hoped for.  However, I'm glad to have had a chance to observe them. 

News from the Nest

The two red-shouldered hawks that I mentioned in the last post are looking more and more like hawks, and less like lambs.  The soft, white, downy appearance has given way to a new look.  They are developing feathers and the colorings of their species.  Ranging from dark brown, to tan, and black and white, their feathers have appeared.  Their faces look much more mature than they did at the time of the last entry.  They have had a good supply of food, as their parents have worked hard to bring a variety of different food sources to the nest.  

So far, I have seen. or seen evidence that the mother and father brought snakes, mice, fish, and small turtles for the young ones to feast upon.  Red-shouldered hawks usually nest near some type of body of water.  Although I usually see the adults flying west when they leave the nest; I'm not sure where the fish came from.  There is a small stream that runs near my apartment complex, but I'm not sure if it's deep enough to be a place where fish live.  

I'm sure they will be hunting on their own before I know it.  It's been interesting to see them from a very early stage, to where they are now.  I will keep posting updates whenever there are new developments.  I have truly enjoyed observing this family of hawks over the last few months.  Keep your eyes and ears open for interesting wildlife developments in your area!  

False Alarm! Everything is okay at the hawk's nest!

Over the past few months, I've been observing a hawk's nest in the parking lot of my apartment complex.  Two red-shouldered hawks decided to become my neighbors and start a family.  I couldn't have been happier.  I was jealous, because I was always hearing about other people having similar nests in their yards.  This included my girlfriend.  Finally I had my OWN hawks living nearby.  

For about two or three months I had noticed the adults building the nest, and bringing food back to it.  I had not seen any chicks.  For the last week or so, I hadn't seen either of the adults.  I was afraid that they had left for some reason.  This morning I saw broken egg shell fragments.  It seemed like some predator had destroyed the eggs, and the parents had abandoned the nest.  I was really starting to become depressed over the whole thing.  

While I was inside doing housework an hour later, I heard the familiar call of one of the adults.  They were still here!  I saw who I believe is the female.  She had a mouse, and she was flying towards the nest.  After dropping of breakfast, she went back out in search of more.  This is when I noticed the recent addition to the family!

I saw two little downy faces through my binoculars looking back at me.  It was incredible!  I had finally seen the chicks that I had been waiting for over the past few months.  In an hour, I had gone from being hopeless and bewildered, to being totally delighted!  

As a somewhat new bird watcher, this is a very exciting experience for me.  I check the nest site almost every day.  I will definitely write more about this in the next few weeks.   

Game 7 in San Jose--Sharks vs. Redwings

Sharks and Redwings for game seven.  This is what the NHL playoffs are all about.  It's anyone's game.  It's all about who wants it more.  That's why the National Hockey League has the best playoffs of any  sport. 

5-HTP for depression and mood stability

I had heard of 5-HTP for a few years.  I started taking one 100mg a day, about two months ago.  At the time, I was having some annoying thought patterns.  I used to worry excessively about things that I knew were not worth worrying about.  My mind would sometimes get in a negative mood for no good reason.  The moods and thoughts were totally irrational.  Nothing in the real world justified having these types of thoughts.  You could almost compare them to someone worrying about whether or not the sun would rise the next morning.  They weren't quite that extreme, but you get the basic idea. 

Since I started taking the 50 mg doses, I've noticed that I've had a more positive outlook.  I'm usually in a good mood, unless there is really a reason not to be.  This is the opposite of how I was previously.  Things have been extremely wonderful in my relationship with my girlfriend.  I've also had an easier time getting through the day at my stressful call center job.  Overall I feel much better than before I started taking the all natural supplement. 

Of course there are other factors that could have played a role.  The weather has been much nicer lately.  There has been a lot more sunshine, and less "depressing" weather.  The days have become longer.  Birds have been singing, which always makes me happy.  I've also been exercising more consistently.  There is no way to know 100% if the supplement is really working, or to what extent.  All I know, is that I've been feeling much better.  We can all agree that the 5-HTP is not making me feel worse.  It could be the effect on key neurotransmitters, it could be the weather, or the white tablets could actually have some type of magical power.  Either way, the bottom line is that I'm feeling great.  I'll take that over being irritated, worried and needlessly depressed any day!

You may want to do some research and consider taking some if you've been feeling down lately.  (Always check with your doctor first.)   

Breaking New Ground

     This is something I've wanted to do for quite a long time.  I've always enjoyed writing.  I just hated being forced to do it.  I have no idea where this will lead.  I'm just taking one step after the other.  This should be an interesting adventure.