Or is it a very late April Fool's joke?
This evening I went out to the redtail hawk's mew just to relax and enjoy her company. She was keel down in her jump box in the ragged pile of sticks she calls a nest. As I approached, she stood up and started these cute little cheeping calls. At her feet was a gorgeous blue green egg with pale brown splotches on the larger end.
![](http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/JW_Halverson/Easteregg/Eandegg.jpg)
This is quite a shock! She's 23 yrs old for crying out loud, far too old for this nonsense. And of course, she has not been with a male redtail ever! The egg is infertile, just like others she laid when she was younger. We'll allow her to set the egg for a few days before we remove it. Meanwhile, it's nice to know she is in apparent good health and spirits.
![](http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/JW_Halverson/Easteregg/2012Eliseegginhand.jpg)
Notice how she has her toes/talons are curled in and she is resting back on her haunches. She is ever so careful with her precious egg.
![](http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/JW_Halverson/Easteregg/012.jpg)