Sunday, November 24, 2013

The perils of hawk life

This juvenile red tailed hawk in Tompkins Square has a beak injury. I can't tell if it's broken or cracked, but it's collecting debris and doesn't look good.

Red tail with beak injury

Red tail with beak injury

Red tail with beak injury

Red tail with beak injury

You can see more detail of the beak in this video.



I don't know what this means for the future of this hawk, but it looks healthy otherwise.

See more hawk photos here.

Previously.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Exposed

I recently stumbled upon some urban archaeology while walking around Tribeca.  This lot on Greenwich and Laight Streets is being transformed into...sigh...luxury condos, of course.

Urban archaeology

Anyway, the process of demolition has revealed an interesting piece of brick artwork.

Urban archaeology

This is as close as I could zoom in.  The bricks are decorated with images of mermaids, fish, leaves, feathers, an Egyptian figure and various shapes.

Urban archaeology 

I confirmed with one of the construction site workers that this is an old piece they uncovered and not something new.  The front of this building faces Washington Street, but I have no other information about this location (71 Laight/401 Washington) or its history, other than it was a warehouse.  If there's anyone out there who knows how this came to be, I'd love to find out.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Marking time

Out of the cage came Eve, 
escaping, escaping. 
She was clothed in her skin like the sun 
and her ankles were not for sale. 

-- Anne Sexton

Untitled

Monday, November 18, 2013

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Hotstepper

It was another hawk extravaganza in Tompkins Square today. Two or three red-tails as well as a broad-winged hawk kept me entertained for hours.

This one was best at posing.

Red tail in Tompkins Square

But I noticed that, throughout the day, it kept raising its right foot, which is worrisome.

Red tail in Tompkins Square

You can also see the foot raised here.

Red tail in Tompkins Square

As well as in this video.



I'm hoping the hawk can make a speedy recovery.

See more hawk photos here.

Previously.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Fall foliage

Is it me or are the leaves especially spectacular this year?  The last couple of weeks have been ablaze with super-saturated colors that have really blown me away.

In El Jardin de Paraiso on E 5th Street...

El Jardin de Paraiso

El Jardin de Paraiso

The Green Oasis Garden on E 8th Street...

Green Oasis Garden

Green Oasis Garden

The 6th Street Community Garden...

6th Street Community Garden

And, of course, Tompkins Square Park.

Fall in Tompkins Square

Fall in Tompkins Square

Fall in Tompkins Square

See more here.