Red-tailed Hawk landing on nest, Bobst Library, NYU, New York City

Bobby Hawk sits watch over the park – September 16th, 2018

I spotted Bobby sitting on the southwest corner of One Fifth Avenue today. I did not see him there when I had checked that perch a few minutes earlier:

Washington Square Park Hawk on One Fifth Avenue

Washington Square Park Hawk Bobby on One Fifth Avenue

Surveying his domain and beyond:

Washington Square Park Hawk Bobby on One Fifth Avenue

I got distracted by a butterfly. When I looked back toward Bobby he had disappeared! Oh no. I didn’t know if he flew away or tucked down low on his perch out of sight.

I walked a few blocks north to look for him. There was no Hawk so I headed back to the park. I saw Bobby sitting in the same spot as before. I guess he had laid down earlier after all.

Washington Square Park Hawk on NYC building corner

I then saw him jump down and fly southward. He had been on that perch for 20 minutes.

In keeping with the pigeon-napping theme from my last post, I checked on the lawns where I most often see these pigeons and found a few slumbering away:

Washington Square Park pigeon napping on lawn

But I was not prepared to find a pigeon fast asleep on the lamp finial above:

Washington Square Park pigeon sleeping on lamp post

It was out cold!

Washington Square Park pigeon sleeping

My camera shutter might have woken it:

sleepy Washington Square Park pigeon

Keeping an eye on me with sleepy eyes:

Washington Square Park pigeon resting on lawn

I was in a different area of the park a few minutes later when a raptor circled overhead. I think it was a Peregrine:

Raptor flying over Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park flower growing past fence

Washington Square Park growing above curb

Foraging starlings:

Washington Square Park starlings feeding on lawn

Washington Square Park starlings burrowing on lawn

Washington Square Park starlings feeding on lawn

Bursting thistle seed head:

Washington Square Park thistle seed head

bursting Washington Square Park thistle seed head

floating Washington Square Park thistle seeds

bursting Washington Square Park thistle seed head


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4 thoughts on “Bobby Hawk sits watch over the park – September 16th, 2018

  1. I love the pigeons sleeping in the grass. And one sleeping on top of a lamp!! I’m going to have to pay more attention to pigeons now and see if I catch any of them napping in broad daylight. They must feel very comfortable in the park, warm, relaxed and safe, despite hawks being around. And I love starlings. They are so smart and clever, and beautiful in their winter feathers. The pigeons must nap on the buildings and trees when there is snow on the ground. Many thanks for the photos Roger_Paw.

  2. Bobby has a way of perching so tall and grand!
    Maybe , he should be called Sir Bobby , as he surveys his domain.
    He appears so Majestic in these poses.

    I cannot believe you captured the bursting of the head of the Thistle seed and do I spy a little insect nearby?
    One can see the thistles beginning to fly in the breeze
    You and your camera , are quite magical , in all you see and instantly in a click…it is ours to enjoy!
    Many thanks.

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