Ugly-cute, or Cute-ugly? Another Kind of Spring Arrival at CSU Stanislaus

I can't decide if they are cute-ugly, or ugly-cute. In any case, these little technicolor chicks were hanging around Warrior Lake at the campus of CSU Stanislaus. They are among the other "spring arrivals" that I've been blogging about for several weeks now. Only they aren't tropical migrants, they are simply newborn chicks of some of the resident species.

I admit that if Mama hadn't been hanging out nearby, I never would have guessed the species of these little ones. The colors certainly give no hint, but their gangly legs sort of do. Do know their identity?

Ah, there's Ma. They're American Coots (Fulica Americana). Who knew they could be so colorful?

The Red-Tailed Hawk Babies are Born! The Newest Raptors at MJC...

The Red-tailed Hawk babies have hatched! I've been watching the activity around the nest since late February when I first noticed the parent hawks building the nest. I feared the eggs might have been lost at one point during a particularly violent windstorm a few weeks ago. I was comforted when the parents were cursing at me in hawk language when I walked by a few days later. Today I thought I saw something move that wasn't "hawk" colored. It was downy white instead. Out came the camera, and there is at least one chick. There may be more...I'll be watching and reporting as I see anything. The hawk baby  (or babies) will be in the nest for around six weeks before they start flying and getting trained in hunting skills.

ADDENDUM: There are TWO chicks (so far)