Washington Square Park was full of critter activity as usual. I did not see the Hawks today despite extensive searching in and outside the park.
New flower blooms:
Sparrows were hovering like hummingbirds before getting a foothold on stems:
I spied this rascally squirrel digging in potted plants soon to be planted:
Naughty!
Elsewhere were some pigeons snoozing on one of the lawns:
Its neighbor fast asleep:
I don’t know if this third pigeon was keeping an eye out for its companions but it would at times close its eyes for several seconds:
I have seen pigeons nap on the lawns for as long as I can remember. I was curious about pigeon naps and found this informative article on the subject.
Fingers crossed that I see at least one Hawk before too long. A fellow Hawk-watcher has seen them in the park over the last couple of days so they’re sticking close to home.
I love your postings, Roger_Paw.
The “rascally squirrel” was so dear and could have a chapter all his own…wonder what he was attempting to eat in the pot…or is it just digging in the soft planting soil.
I have NEVER seen a pigeon nap…I think , if I saw one, I would think he was on the way to meet his maker.
I clicked on the site you included ,finding the information on pigeons napping and found it informative.
You entertain and educate us , Roger…many thanks ,as you trek in the park for us.
The sparrows and new booms added to your posting. The gymnastics the sparrow was performing , as he grabbed a twig to land on, is lost in the nano second and how wonderful your camera grabs the act.
Thanks, Jeanne! It’s funny, I showed those pigeon pictures to a birder friend of mine and he said he’s never seen pigeons sleeping on lawns before. Well, I’ll have to take him to the park in the early afternoon so he can be amazed in person!
Love the pictures of the rascally squirrel.. There is one I see right out my window several times every day. He always has something in his paws and appears to be nibbling on it. I loved the pictures of the pigeons! I learn so much by following your pictures. I have never seen a pigeon nap either. Of course, I live in the heart of the city, but compared to Washington Square our capitol (Augusta, Maine) is a microscopic peek into the business of being pigeons, squirrels, hawks, and many other creatures. Our pigeons don’t have the interesting colors and markings that the square has, mostly just plain ole pigeons, but they seem too busy to nap. As always, thank you for the pictures, and the lessons.
Thanks so much! It’s cute that you have the same squirrel to observe every day. The pigeons have it really good in the park. They have many people feeding them, they have a lush home, and they only have the Hawks to keep an eye open for every once in a while. It’s especially nice to see them napping in the sun. I’ll have to take a photo of a group doing that.
A group photo of napping pigeons would be wonderful! I was thinking if these pigeons nap right there often, they must be either: comfortable in their own agility and speed; certain they will hear the hawks before they arrive; or are extremely in their personal relationship with he (or she) who watches over us all. Maybe our particularly alert pigeons have been naughtier than the WS group 🙂 There are actually two squirrels I see every day here. When they are running around, up tree stumps, and over fences, up and down roofs, they chase each other and seem intent on whisking food supplies away from the squirrel in front, who always seems to be running with his striped tail identifying him to all. When he runs up my steps and around my little patch of grass, he always seems to be taking a break and using both paws to hold his lunch while munching quickly to make room for more in his chubby cheeks.
That stripe-tailed squirrel sounds like a lot of fun to watch. Yes, I think the pigeons must feel awfully secure in order to put themselves in such vulnerable positions!
I never knew pigeons napped! – and on the lawn, too!
It goes to show how secure they feel in the park. They are living the good life.
Except the pigeon that Bobby Hawk brought home for dinner – as the main course. LOL
I love that hovering sparrow. Great catch.
Thanks! It was a captivating sight. About 4 or 5 sparrows were hovering like that before finally landing (one or two hovering at a time).