In the Garden

December 30, 2011 | Filed Under Christmas, Harlem, Holiday Decorations, Sparrows, Starlings | 15 Comments

As I passed by the garden of a church, I believe is called St. Joseph’s, the decorations of the shrine caught my attention.

I stopped behind the gate to take photos.

I had no idea that someone watched me when the minister/priest popped his head out the door.

"You can come in!" He called out to me and then disappeared.

Pleasantly surprised, I opened the gate quickly and stepped inside the garden to get a closer photo of Mary and Joseph…

… And a closer look at the humble, yet beautiful decorations…

… and the flowers…

… that surrounded the Mary and Joseph.

The starlings and sparrows watched me from the safety of the high tree branches.

Soon one starling flew down to the water fountain.

A second starling joined the first. They took sips of water and started chatting.

"Don’t you just love the holiday atmosphere in the city?"

"Oh, yes. I’m lovin’ the decorations."

A Hawk in Chelsea

December 8, 2011 | Filed Under Chelsea, Dogs, Hawks, Sparrows | 15 Comments

On Tuesday, I spent the day with Elizabeth, Robert and Buster. I always have a fun time when I see them.

It was a rainy day but the rain seemed to stop so that Elizabeth, Buster and I could walk around Chelsea and take photos.

There are a lot of nice townhouses in the neighborhood.

Many are nicely decorated for the holiday.

We bumped into two of Buster’s ~~nemesis~~ friends.

They stared at him as he stared right back. I think Buster calls this cat Raccoon Tail.

Do you think this cat is a mix with raccoon?

During the staring contest, Elizabeth and I took photos.

There were plenty of talkative sparrows around. I haven’t taken any sparrow photos in a long time.

The best part of my day (apart from spending time with Buster, of course) happened after lunch

when Robert arranged a special sighting of a hawk to come and sit right outside their window on the lamp pole.

OMG! A hawk! Right outside the window!

With all the activity on the sidewalk below, no one looked up to notice the hawk.

That was so exciting to see. Thanks, Robert!

It was a good day spent in Chelsea.

Paz

Thirsty Sparrow

October 7, 2011 | Filed Under Sparrows, water fountains | 8 Comments

Just before I took this photo, this sparrow had taken a sip of water from the fountain.

Paz

A Beautiful Autumn Day

October 1, 2011 | Filed Under Autumn/Fall, College Campus, Columbia University, Pigeons, Sparrows | 8 Comments

It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day, yesterday, Friday. Actually, it felt more like summer than autumn. Everyone was outside, enjoying the weather. Many folks (including me) were still wearing summer attire. On the Columbia University campus, these girls sat relaxed, enjoying their chat.