Royalty seem to be in the news a lot these days, with the Olympics and all. We had a visit right here in our yard. Just like many royals, this one jetted in and did not stay long. This royal also generated many oohs and aahs and excitement from those visited.
As I sat quietly watching the water, not really paying attention, a very agitated and panicked collared dove came zigging and zagging from the south, about two feet above the water. He dashed side to side, trying to evade and yet make maximum speed at the same time. He was silent, all effort focused on survival.
Then, effortlessly, fiercely, the peregrine falcon appeared. Just as near to the water, the dark blue-gray jet closed in easily on his prey. Peregrines have a characteristic wing beat: powerful, purposeful, full of confidence. The dark helmet markings on his face flashed in the light, and the big, dark eye was focused only on the dove.
As if he had just decided to put on the gas, the falcon accelerated his wing beats, moved his feet forward in a 'grab' position, and snagged the hapless dove with one strong foot. At least the end is quick in such powerful talons. And peregrines don't hunt for sport, they hunt to eat and live.
Peregrines engender the word 'royalty' in the bird world. Long a choice with falconers, they have in inherent dignity and presence that everyone encountering the bird will quickly notice. Their quiet authority and physical power are beautiful to behold.
The peregrine population was almost wiped out due to DDT, but since it was banned in the US, they have made a great comeback. Now they can be found even in the cities, nesting on narrow window ledges near parks. One more example of wildlife doing their best to live among us. Their prey is primarily birds, and city pigeons and starlings are prime targets. Because the looming shadow of a peregrine on the hunt will panic and disperse whole flocks of birds, vineyard managers have begun to use falconers and falcons to keep pesty birds from eating their entire grape crop. And airports now use them to patrol and keep hazardous flocks of birds off the runways. What great examples of working with a wild creature to the benefit of both.
But here in the quiet marshes and dusky woods, peregrines perch quietly at the marsh's edge, watching and waiting. When prey is spotted, they launch effortlessly into their powerful flight: a royal on the wing.
Winter Sunset, Loomis Outlet
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Where the Wild Things Really Are
They are here all around us. We are so lucky. Just this morning, in the quiet of a soft, cloudy dawn, I heard the kuk-kakuk-kakuk of a Virginia Rail. This Rail is a marsh bird - a very skulky, secretive bird who is hard to find and see, even for birders. Rails are rather gawky waders, and in bird references, can be found under the heading "Chicken-like Wading Birds". They do resemble chickens with shortened, variegated brown feathers. This Rail has a beautiful dense gray cheek-patch surrounding a fierce red eye. The bill is long and reddish-orange, quite unchicken-like. Actually, they're quite the dapper bird.
Rails usually live in remote marshlands, away from houses, traffic and human noise. Our lake outlet is near houses, traffic and human noise, yet there is still enough marshland, enough water and cover to make this Rail happy. He has been here, calling, for at least three seasons.
Many folks would argue the value of a bird that is rarely seen. What do they contribute?
There is wildlife all around us, and most of it is rarely seen, due to well-placed caution on the critters' end of things. We do see bears here in the yard, and yes, they can be a nuisance. But think of what they're doing. Think of how many pounds of berries it takes to fill a bear's stomach. Who was here first? Is it the bear's fault that what used to be a place to forage is now a house with a green lawn?
Development is a given. What I believe is that we cannot allow ourselves to lose the wild things. There is untold value in wildness. To know that there are places in the world where wild things never, ever see a human during their lifespan. To know that there are creatures that make their way through life completely out of human control. To hear the distant, haunting call of a bird or critter and not know what it is. The mystery of that is ancient and human. The earth is not only ours. "In wildness is the preservation of the world" ~ a quote by Henry David Thoreau, says it all.
And here, where we live, we have birds and mammals all around, trying to make an honest living just like us. We can all be here. With forethought, flexibility and respect we can live beside them and enjoy their wild calls, hoots and honks. We are all connected on this planet and the diminishment of one species touches us all.
So enough with the preaching. Please - step outside and listen. You may not hear a rare or unusual bird, but even the crows in your yard are wild things. If you really see them, something is there to be learned.
Crows may be the only connection with wildness that some folks have. We are luckier here. There is deep value in it, no matter where. We must cultivate that value and not let it disappear, along with the wild things.
We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where
the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe;
to smell the whispering sedge where only some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground....
We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life
pasturing freely where we never wander. ~ Walden
Rails usually live in remote marshlands, away from houses, traffic and human noise. Our lake outlet is near houses, traffic and human noise, yet there is still enough marshland, enough water and cover to make this Rail happy. He has been here, calling, for at least three seasons.
Many folks would argue the value of a bird that is rarely seen. What do they contribute?
There is wildlife all around us, and most of it is rarely seen, due to well-placed caution on the critters' end of things. We do see bears here in the yard, and yes, they can be a nuisance. But think of what they're doing. Think of how many pounds of berries it takes to fill a bear's stomach. Who was here first? Is it the bear's fault that what used to be a place to forage is now a house with a green lawn?
Development is a given. What I believe is that we cannot allow ourselves to lose the wild things. There is untold value in wildness. To know that there are places in the world where wild things never, ever see a human during their lifespan. To know that there are creatures that make their way through life completely out of human control. To hear the distant, haunting call of a bird or critter and not know what it is. The mystery of that is ancient and human. The earth is not only ours. "In wildness is the preservation of the world" ~ a quote by Henry David Thoreau, says it all.
And here, where we live, we have birds and mammals all around, trying to make an honest living just like us. We can all be here. With forethought, flexibility and respect we can live beside them and enjoy their wild calls, hoots and honks. We are all connected on this planet and the diminishment of one species touches us all.
So enough with the preaching. Please - step outside and listen. You may not hear a rare or unusual bird, but even the crows in your yard are wild things. If you really see them, something is there to be learned.
Crows may be the only connection with wildness that some folks have. We are luckier here. There is deep value in it, no matter where. We must cultivate that value and not let it disappear, along with the wild things.
We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where
the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe;
to smell the whispering sedge where only some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground....
We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life
pasturing freely where we never wander. ~ Walden
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