Looking for Food

February 17, 2011 | Filed Under Birds, Harlem/Morningside Heights, Hawks | 15 Comments

I was talking to someone in the park when a hawk flew in from nowwhere and almost gripped a pigeon in midair. The pigeon dropped to the ground and the hawk let it go. It rested on a branch. A minute later another hawk flew in and rested on another tree branch. After a few minutes they flew away together. I don’t think they appreciated me taking their photo. I feel sorry for their prey but hawks have to eat, too.

Paz

Woodpecker

February 16, 2011 | Filed Under Birds | 12 Comments

I was in the park, Tuesday, taking some photos of cookies. Yes, cookies. Don’t ask. As I took the photos, I kept hearing a tapping sound but every time I looked up, or looked around me, I didn’t see anything or anyone. The tapping continued and I took a closer look at the tree. That’s when I saw two tiny birds, busy pecking away at the tree bark. Woodpeckers? Woodpeckers! I forgot about my cookies. Today must be my lucky day. I should have played Lotto. I saw everything in pairs in the park – two woodpeckers (I think) together; two squirrels together and two hawks together. Someone please confirm this is a woodpecker. I’m off to consult Abraham Lincoln’s Bird Blog.

Paz

Ed. Note: Thanks, everyone, for confirming that this is a woodpecker. Yay!

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

February 14, 2011 | Filed Under Chinatown, Chinese New Year, Year of the Rabbit | 7 Comments

Over the weekend, I went to Chinatown. They were still celebrating the Chinese New Year — the Year of the Rabbit. There were different parades all over the place. I saw a lion and tiger and a dragon dancing in the streets! Fun!

Paz