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July 29, 2009
Try... Peregrine Falcons
Ok... sometimes it takes me a while to finally see what is going on around me. I noticed something different about the nature of things near our home. I thought it was more about the drought than anything else, but there seemed to be fewer birds in and around our yard. Actually, almost no birds, is more like it... except for these bigger versions that are part of the raptor family.
I saw my neighbor in the early evening with his puppy Chihuahua in his front yard, and decided to mention to him to carefully watch over his puppy, as there is this hawk family living in the area. He said he thought they were Peregrine Falcons, and that he has lots of pictures of them already! I told him that I thought these birds where too big to be falcons, but then he said they looked them up and they are the right size. Hmmmm.
I promptly went into my home to check this out, and he was absolutely correct... about 16 to 20 inches long, and the pictures coming up on Google were mostly matching what I have been seeing. As I looked further into the habits of this fast flying bird, it was also clear to me what their favorite food is ... other birds! My stomach felt a small knot develop, even though I find these birds most captivating, I was made aware that all those beautiful birds I loved so much, have either flown the coop or have become another bird’s fodder.
As my partner prepared to leave for his office that same evening, he opened the door and immediately summoned me to his side. I quickly walked over to find a large bird sitting on top of his car, just looking at us like we were as familiar to him as his parents. We walked out to see what would happen, but he still sat there, either unafraid, or just too naive to know that we could be a possible threat.
A moment later, he was on a small, low branch of the nearby Magnolia tree, and I walked toward him to see how close he would tolerate my presence... just a couple of feet, and he still looked at me like I was a curiosity, but more like the same interest a house cat might have as it grooms itself.
I have become attached to his visits, while his parents screech from above, and he answers with a the same high pitched call... so tender these communications. It was beginning to get dark, so I turned to go into the house, and he flew very low to the ground to a tree across the street.
I miss the other birds, and can only hope that most have just found another area to live. I miss the cooing of the Mourning Doves, the beautiful songs of the Mocking Birds, and even the screeching of the Blue Jays, who have learned to imitate their predators with these calls. The only sounds I hear are the constant cicadas buzzing away, and the calls of this marvelous falcon family, as they make this area their home.
Posted by kay at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2009
Backyard Hawk
This raptor is becoming a daily visitor, much to my delight, although I do wish there was enough water for him in the natural surroundings to not have to come so close to people... could be unhealthy for him.
I do believe he is a juvenile, and possibly a common Black Hawk. I have looked in two different bird books that I have... seems those tail stripes are too bright for the Red-Tailed Hawk. However, I am no bird expert, and it is possible I am way off on this one. He is curious about us, and a bit too brave or maybe inexperienced... but oh so beautiful to watch.
Posted by kay at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2009
Birdbath
I am sitting here in relative darkness, even though it is almost 9 in the morning, thinking that this is surely a sign of rain. Although the air did not smell like rain when I briefly stepped outside, I did hear the distant rumbling of thunder. This could be another one of those teasers, while portions of the city are getting a well-deserved downpour... but for our area, right at this moment – darkness.... and a most severe drought.
Yesterday afternoon, I walked over to my kitchen sink to wash my hands, and briefly looked out of my large window to the backyard dessert, which has not only suffered from a critical loss of rain, but the constant trampling of 4 medium/large dogs. As I pondered about this, I was taken back to see before me, sitting on the just-filled birdbath, a very large bird – a hawk to be exact! I was in absolute awe, unable to move from my position as I watched his every move.
After some curious and cautious behavior, he was obviously thirsty, and began to drink, but then he started to flip the water up while ruffling his large plumage. It finally occurred to me that he was making motions like he was taking a bath. A few moments later, to my wondrous surprise, he stepped into the birdbath, filling most of its’ space, and completely immersing his regal body, fluffing stripped tail feathers and beautifully marked wings into a ritual dance.
This is when I remembered my new Nikon D40, sitting in its’ new bag... just waiting for this kind of moment. I quickly, but carefully stepped away, praying to the camera gods to keep my subject busy long enough for me to capture – or at least attempt to capture his amazing spirit, quenching itself with precious water.
These photos were taken in haste and without enough knowledge to know that the camera was set on “normal”... not “fine”, and yet, they still give an idea of just how magnificent this creature is.
And, like all happy endings, we are also blessed with the falling of a gentle rain on our piece of parched earth... for now, anyway.
Posted by kay at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)