Monday, January 28, 2013

Because this never gets old

I can't get enough of the Tompkins Square Park hawks.  Chasing them around has become one of my favorite pastimes and, this last weekend, I finally got to see one of them up close when it sat on a fence and stared into my soul...

Tompkins Square Park
Check out those talons!

The hawk spent a lot of time on the ground, digging around, looking for prey under the shrubs.  Its feathers blend in beautifully with the foliage and snow.

Tompkins Square Park

Here's a little video of the hawk going after something on the ground.  As always, apologies for the camerawork.  Some day, I'll get it right...



See more photos here.

Previously.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Progress

On 2nd Avenue and 10th Street, at the site of the former Sigmund Schwartz Gramercy Park Chapel.

Progress

Back in 2008, Jeremiah's Vanishing New York did a great write-up of this building's history.

EV Grieve has also been chronicling the changes going on at this address for the last several months.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Mulchfest 2013

I love Mulchfest.

It's a fresh new year, so what better way to kick it off than to grind up those old Christmas trees and unleash the heavenly scent of evergreen across Tompkins Square Park?  It's also the only time I ever get to see a wood-chipper, so that's exciting in itself.

Behold, the beast!

Mulchfest 2013

The result, a mountain of fragrant green mulch, which is used around the park.

Mulchfest 2013

Here is some video of the chipper in action:



See more Mulchfest photos here.

Previously.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Welcome to 2013!

The year is starting off right with more hawk-on-squirrel action in Tompkins Square Park...

Tompkins Square Park
The squirrel won't back down, even with an acorn in its mouth.

Tompkins Square Park
Here is some video of the encounter:



And, now, everyone please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Oh, say can you see...! 

See more photos of the hawk here.

Previously