I occasionally see hawks around Los Angeles. Usually, they just cruise by high overhead. But for the most part the wild parrots rule the San Gabriel Valley -- and they are a territorial crew. That means any tough guy hawk poking his beak around here could be in for the bird equivalent of a street fight out of the movie Colors.So not only is it unusual to see hawks close up in a residential neighborhood, but I'll wager it's extremely rare to see one fluttering around in various street puddles for days after a rain. Like this little guy, who managed to take three or four baths this week. (You'll just have to take my word for it. By the time I grabbed my camera, he was halfway down the street and up on this branch.)
17 comments:
There is some kind of Native Indian lore about seeing a hawk--but I can't say. I know what it means if they fly into your house.
I just love that picture. It looks old but it isn't is it? Are you tricking me?
The Celts believed Hawk empowered a person to examine in depth that which is positive so that it may be integrated into the person's life and that which is limiting so it can be released.
Very nice composition. Has a real foreboding feel to it in black and white.
Aww, I would have loved to see it bathing. But this is a lovely photograph nonetheless, especially in b&w.
There's a real good country-folk band called "I See Hawks in LA." www.iseehawks.com
You could have a band called "LA Sees Hawks in SP."
WOW you did that diagonal line thing again, starting with the roof, then the palm tree, then the bird!! I'm such a sucker for a silhouette and the bare feel of the tree in the foreground really gives it a sad kind of mood.
We have vultures sitting up in trees around here, since we are so close to rural areas, and there are deer aplenty (that unfortunately become roadkill too often) and they sit and wait to swoop down (kind of like those guys who sing "When I See an Elephant Fly" in Disney's classic "Dumbo.")
This is a favorite, Laurie!!! Have a great weekend.
Judy, I noticed that diagonal too. It makes the photo for me. Nice shot Laurie!
There is an visual Oxymoron quality to this gorgeous photo... the bare, foreboding tree, the stark silhouette of the hunter bird... and popping up like Woody Woodpecker, the optimistic topknot of that California palm!
It would make a great CD cover... or an add for a spoof film called Purgatory Boy.
I see hawks all the time up here in La Canada. I love to see them catch a wind current.
When we lived in Pasadena about 12 years ago, the most prominent bird was the scrub jay. We never saw parrots. Are the scrub jays still around there? I hope so, because they're native, and the parrots aren't.
Kathy,
Now that you mention it, I used to have jays around here all the time, but I haven't seen one in ages. One used my doormat to obtain material for its nest. But the parrots are rampant now. It used to be that crows were not common, but now they're everywhere.
Now that Obama's in, maybe things will change.
A quadrant of singles, lovely and moody.
I've spent a fair amount of time on construction sites (I have a hard hat covered in with Bar-bee stickers) and the hawks rule the skies until twilight. Thats when the crows start appearing one by one and run the hawks out of town. Brains over bronze.
Seems quite a few native birds have migrated up the hill to get away from the noisy neighbors.
I like this picture -- looks like an iconic October shot. In Illinois.
Uhh, except for the palm.
Hi kids,
Welcome Kathy H!
Walker, I love the Celtic symbolism of seeing a hawk. I am going to think of that the next time I notice this cute little fellow bathing in my gutters. There really is something uplifting about seeing a hawk.
Thank you, everyone, for such lovely comments and compliments. Until tomorrow.
a wonderfully atmospheric shot. We have none of this in NYC...hawks, palm trees...Laurie Alee!
Thanks, KM. (We have no Times Square, tinpan alley or Ken Mac here!)
Good job fellow So. Pas. mom! Just found your blog and love all your pix. Light, shadows and ordinary, yet unique, subjects intrigue me too. You have encouraged me to get off my duff and take more photos...
We live in a great lil' town in the heart of a big metropolis.
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