The Washington Square Park Hawks Juno and Sadie zipped right across my street as soon as I approached the park. They were following each other. They circled together then separated.
Sadie flew north above Broadway then hooked a left toward the park:
She and Juno joined up above the park square:
They then both landed on the Con Edison tower:
I wasn’t finding the banded Hawk in the park trees so I headed over to the tower.
When I got closer I saw that the Hawks were no longer on the tower but that was ok; they flew right back.
Flying just west of the tower:
Juno followed Sadie:
Sadie landed on the top while Juno kept going:
I was busy fiddling with my camera settings when one of the Hawks settled on a different area of the tower (I’m not sure which Hawk this was now):
The Hawk flew off the tower and toward the base (and out of sight).
I went to Union Square Park to get a better look at the tower base.
There was no sign of the Hawks but there was a fine bee nest in one of the park trees:
A fine example of a Bishop’s Crook-style lamp post:
I had been reading about old NYC street lampposts a couple of days ago so it was pretty cool to spot this unique one.
I returned to Washington Square Park to look for raptors.
A dozy pigeon doing some sunning:
Juno appeared. He flew low over the park arch then along the One Fifth Avenue apartment building:
He circled and flew about the blocks just north of the park.
Searching for him wasn’t yielding results so I made my way south toward the park again.
I was standing at a corner waiting for the light to change when I thought how nice the One Fifth Avenue steam looked as it was moved by the wind.
I then noticed Hey! There’s a Hawk up there!
It was Juno.
Landing on a new spot:
Juno flew west and out of sight.
I took a look at the Con Ed tower again on my way out of the park and saw a Hawk up there:
I had no time to investigate so I went on my way but all in all it was a great two hours spent with the Hawks!
Loved the picture of the beehive! How unusual. I do hope people leave it alone, or perhaps a beekeeper could be contacted to take it and keep it safe. Where are the bees in the winter? Is this an abandoned hive? What a special city we have!
Thanks! The hive was pretty high up in a tree and probably not that noticeable to people minding their business as they go to and fro. I think I only spotted it because I was actively searching the trees for Hawks.
This article (by Terminix of all places) is pretty informative about the winter habits of bees: https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/can-honey-bees-survive-winter/
Our Hawks are unbelievable, but that bee hive is beyond beautiful…it appears to be crocheted by mysterious hands and then the display is equally as wonderful…each animal, bird and insect has some special talent that is beyond the ordinary. Do you think the hive is active as the discoloration of the “hive” is perhaps honey spun tightly to the hive. You had a busy day, Roger_Paw and all in two hours time.
Thanks for sharing the pictures. I am going to read the Terminix article on bees…you’re right , who would have thought Terminix would be the presenter of information other than control and eradication.
All good things in the WSP!
That hive really is amazing. I’ve never seen one with so many combs like that. It looks like it’s in good shape so it may still be in use. Thank you!
Wow! The bee nest is something I’ve never seen! How lucky you are!! It is beautiful.
I totally agree; the bee nest is amazing and I’m so glad I got to see it.