Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards
General Category => Hackensack Discussion => Topic started by: Editor on December 13, 2010, 10:39:27 PM
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This hawk was snacking on a pigeon in our backyard this morning. I think it is a "broad-winged hawk" based on its tail markings. Click to enlarge.
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Nice picture. That's one less annoying pigeon.
The hawk is a Cooper's Hawk. The tail is longer, and the bands better match those of a Cooper's Hawk.
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By the way, Cooper's Hawk is much less common, and it is listed as Threatened Species in the State of New Jersey.
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Editor' nice picture.....I have what I think is a Sharp Shinned Hawk that visits my back yard...but all he eat's is the Morning Doves...they must be like veal...I wish he would eat some squirrel's or pigeons....
Over the last 3 years it's practically wiped out all the Morning Doves...
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This may very well have been a dove. It didn't give me much time to make an ID. I haven't heard doves in my area for some time now. I wonder if they'll soon be on the endangered list too (around here anyway).
Sharp-shinned (also has a banded tail):
(http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/JSC_040802_00106D_S.jpg)
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That is correct. Here's something I found online that compares the Coopers Vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk. The two are very very similar, so I am not going to defend my identification. Maybe the folks at the Audubon Society or Hackensack Riverkeeper can be contacted, and they can provide an identification.
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Look what I found on my bedroom A/C today! I set the cell cam to its highest resolution and snuck up on it.
I got within about 3 feet of the bird. It heard the camera clicks and turned toward me before it flew over to 417 Main.
I photographed an identical bird in the same spot 8 years ago. It was identified as a red-tailed hawk. I couldn't see the tail in these pictures, but I did see it when I video'd it two minutes later on top of 417 Main. It was red.
Too bad for that last shot that the window was dirty on the outside. I can't clean it unless I learn to fly. Maybe I can teach the hawk to clean it.
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Wow. Now that's what I call a "bird's eye view".
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Well, I didn't have to wait 8 more years to get another hawk shot on my A/C. This ham apparently likes to have his/her picture taken and came back today for more photos.
I cleaned the window as much as I could this morning and the bird scheduled this afternoon's shoot a little earlier to take advantage of the sun and the results speak for themselves.
Now if only one of the bald eagles that hangs out a few blocks away along the river would come by.............
Meanwhile, ladies and gentlemen - give it up for Hammy the Hawk!
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LOVE these pictures! What an amazing creature. I may have seen the same one in a tree on State Street today.
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"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeVille" - The Further Adventures of Hammy the Hawk
A little gift from Hammy the Hawk this morning: a special performance in the snow. This is cellphone video shot off a TV screen that was showing a VHS tape playback:
http://img443.imageshack.us/flvplayer.swf?f=My0z
He landed on the A/C facing me this time - probably because the cold, snowy, east wind was at his back. It was too drab for photos, so I shot some video from about 12' away in the hallway outside my bedroom.
He shook his head, appeared to be talking, watched me like a.........well, you know what, and then stuck his tongue out at me. I got him back by taking a cell pic from my living room window while the tape still rolled by the bedroom.
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7363/photo5070.jpg) (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/photo5070.jpg/)
I guess that spooked him and he took off.
BTW - I was nowhere near as close to him when I shot this as it appears. It's just well-cropped.
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I think this bird wants a relationship. Excellent viewing.
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Bob,
Those are really amazing hawk pictures. Wouldn't it be great if he set up a nest right there on your building ??? The "pale male" of Hackensack.
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Maybe the hawk is looking to dine on Bob's "fisheye lens."
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Wouldn't it be great if he set up a nest right there on your building ??? The "pale male" of Hackensack.
Here's a picture of that famous Fifth Avenue denizen at lunchtime:
(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7848/palemale.jpg) (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/palemale.jpg/)
I fully expect Hammy to be dining in a similar manner on my A/C, assuming I don't keep spooking him.
Maybe the hawk is looking to dine on Bob's "fisheye lens."
He hasn't seen my fisheye - just the cellphone. To use the fisheye, I'd have to have the camera right against the window and he'd still be too small a percentage of the frame to make a good picture. He'd be long gone by then anyway.
Here's what that cell shot looked like full frame:
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1483/fullframe.jpg) (http://img217.imageshack.us/i/fullframe.jpg/)
The fisheye would be MUCH wider and pretty useless. Maybe I SHOULD just feed it to him.
I'm sure he'd be thrilled. :D
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Now, if you do that with your lens, you can bring your TV over next to the window and he can watch MASH reruns and enjoy HAWKEYE Pierce OR if he/ she/ it is a football fan he/she/ it can root for the Seattle "SEEHAWKS".
Just a couple of thoughts on a cold Saturday night waiting for the effects of global warming to kick in.
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the Seattle "SEEHAWKS"
One of your biggest clients and you spell their name "SEEhawks"?
Oy!
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Let me assure you,sir, that if Homer Jones is out "hawking his wares", he can spell the product anyway he pleases.
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Somebody's gonna be Salesless in Seattle.
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Not if I go on Ebay and buy a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye.
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Hammy's been here almost every day. There's no nesting behavior - I think my A/C is just an convenient perch for him to scan the area for prey. I know of at least one other nearby perch he uses, but that happens a lot less frequently.
Yesterday, he left a 2" x 1" something on the A/C. This double-picture shows the same deposit yesterday (left) and right (today), when it lost the feather in its cap. It's got lots more feathers, however..............the lump looks like a little tarball with feathers mixed in:
(http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3420/34878495.jpg) (http://img222.imageshack.us/i/34878495.jpg/)
My A/C's been tarred and feathered!
I didn't know if it was an uneaten part of a bird or excrement, so I sent the shot to the always-knowledgeable Hugh Carola at the Hackensack Riverkeeper. His reply:
"I BELIEVE that it’s regurgitant (indigestible bits) that cannot pass through the bird’s system. Their excreta is like that of most other birds: lots of splashy white stuff (often referred to as 'whitewash'). There are a number of tails in and around the city: a nesting pair at Borg’s Woods, another along the river in Teaneck by FDU, plus plenty of immature/nonbreeders that feed on the abundant pigeon population.
Evidently your penthouse is THE place for this bird. You’re a lucky fella."
I got up at 8 this morning and there he was on the A/C (Hammy - not Hugh). The sun was so bright reflecting off the river that I would have been highly visible to him - too visible to get close and take pictures. But I did notice something interesting.
The sun cast a strong shadow of him on the side a wooden dresser. Next to the window is a mirror that showed that shadow on the dresser, so I took a picture into the mirror of THAT:
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7184/74570644.jpg) (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/74570644.jpg/)
I want to get more video, but I can't stand there for an hour or two or just let tape run, so I hooked up the camcorder that's mostly in my bedroom to a free-standing VCR (remember those?). But the VCR's other cables only let me move it so far, so it's half in my living room and half in my hallway.
The connector from the VCR barely reaches the camcorder. It's strung so tightly that I have to hurdle it to get into the hallway and duck under it to get to the camcorder in the bedroom.
The VCR is hooked up to another VCR that's with my TV, which is near my computer, so the end result is that I can see whatever the camcorder's aimed at (the bedroom window) on the TV while sitting at my computer in the living room, but without having to record anything.
I DID record him for about 12 minutes this morning before he flew off. If he comes back, I can hit the first VCR's remote from my computer and record the signal from the camcorder on the VCR instead of running through the obstacle course to record it on the camcorder and possibly spooking him when I trip on the connector.
It's a mess, but it works.
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I spoke with someone today who knows a little bit about hawks. He said that if a hawk is hanging around a building like this, he's probably staking it out for a potential nesting site. They prefer nesting on the tops of tall buildings.
There's a good supply of pigeons and squirrels in the area, plus the building is not far from Foschini and Johnson Parks where there could be rats, rabbits and woodchucks. Red-tailed hawks can also snatch fish directly from rivers and lakes, and the Hackensack River is very close from the standpoint of a hawk. The top of 430 Union Street really is prime nesting territory for this species, for all these reasons.
Bob, if you are interested, you can do an internet search for hawk nesting platforms. They are inexpensive, and if your landlord gives permission, you could mount it somewhere on the roof. And you'll have an ongoing source of great photos.
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Thanks for the suggestions. From an absolutely selfish photographic standpoint, nothing is gonna beat what I have right now.
I can get within 3' of the bird in the comfort and warmth of my home while being protected by the window. I've seen hawks on my roof a couple of times and you can't get anywhere near them.
From the eating habits you describe, I don't think he can beat what he has right now: he's got a great view of the river and parts of both parks and anything scurrying on the ground or flying in the air.
He's also got protection on his blind side from the building - something he wouldn't have on the roof here or at the other place I've seen him: on top of 417 Main St.
If he wants to Pale Male it on my A/C, that's fine with me (though he might not appreciate it when I turn the unit on in the summer).
I'm happy to just let nature take its course.
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Or several courses for that matter.
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Hammy was a no-show yesterday - probably at the store stocking up on milk, eggs, and pigeons before the snowstorm.............and a shovel so he could clear out a spot for himself on the A/C (first picture).
He showed up twice this morning and stayed for about 45 minutes each time - just watching for brunch scurrying by, I guess. I didn't see him leave the first time, but I saw the second exit: right off the edge - ass over teakettle - straight down.
During the second visit, I got some cell shots as the sun went in and out. You can see the wind lifting up some of his feathers on the left. The pix are severely cropped and are starting to show the limitations of cellphone photos. In the brighter shot, his white feathers look yellow because he's facing the yellow-brick wall of my building and the sun is reflecting off it.
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These two videos were shot today. Again - they're cell videos off a TV screen that's showing a VHS tape.
The first two scenes in this one are the same - the second's just closer than the first:
http://img291.imageshack.us/flvplayer.swf?f=Mauu
I think he's looking for me AND food in this one. Let's hope he never confuses the two:
http://img192.imageshack.us/flvplayer.swf?f=Mr7c
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After a couple of days off, Hammy showed up again this morning. In the interim, I found out from Hugh Carola that he's a juvenile red-tailed hawk, which makes sense because I caught him today playing a game of peek-a-boo:
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Hammy's been MIA for the last 3 weeks, but he returned yesterday. He must have heard that I got a new camera..............the little ham couldn't resist.
I shot hi-res pictures and 720 HD video with the new toy. And while I haven't had time to edit all the pix yet, I discovered something better - pulling stills from the video.
The first 3 pix below are video stills.............the second and third ones knock me out. He was diving straight down off the A/C.
The fourth one is from a regular picture.
Close enough for you?
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FABULOUS pictures! I love the talons in motion! Thanks for sharing!
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Busy day for hawk shots!
Hammy visited twice this morning. The problem with that is that the low sun lights up all the dirt on the outside of the window and the camera autofocuses on that. The sun also reflects off the yellow brick wall that surrounds the window and makes the bird look jaundiced. I keep telling him to show up between 1-2pm when the light is best, but these juveniles do what they want when they want. I did get a couple of good shots, including the first one below, which I really like.
Straight out my living room window is Comprehensive Behavioral Care. Lots of social workers work there and park in the lot.
At around 5pm, I saw a worker taking pictures of one of their many nondescript vans that they use to bring their "clients" in and take back home every day. Then I saw a second worker doing the same thing. Then a third came running out to take more pictures.
Finally, I saw why. There was a redtailed hawk on top of one of the vans dining on his fresh kill! Of course, the girls scared it off and I watched it fly a half-block away to Ward St and continue his meal on a tree. I took some shots from my apartment, but they were crap, so I went downstairs to go out, get closer, and take some more.
The light was bad, so it was hard for the camera to autofocus and the sky behind the hawk basically gave me B&W silhouettes, so I had to manipulate the hell out of them and oversharpen like crazy.
The second, third, and fourth photos are the three that came out the best. They are:
2. Eating
3. Burping
4. Leftovers
Of course, I don't know if it was Hammy, but if it was, he apparently didn't like the ambiance of my A/C enough to dine there.
Or maybe he postponed it until the light is better for me to shoot there at lunchtime.
Thoughtful fella.
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Another busy photo day with Hammy.
I got this cute video of him this morning. I was not in the bedroom, so it wasn't me that he appears to be looking at. My guess is he was looking at his reflection in the window:
http://img706.imageshack.us/flvplayer.swf?f=M1hu
I think Hammy was the bloody diner yesterday. My evidence?
We start with this shot of him today on his favorite perch - my bedroom A/C. I'm sticking my camera out of my living room window. As long as I don't stick my head out, he seems OK with it.
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7601/89881219.jpg) (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/89881219.jpg/)
On closer inspection, I notice some red on his left foot (look at those talons scratches on the A/C!):
(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8936/28801230.jpg) (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/28801230.jpg/)
Then I noticed small red spots in his feathers and a crimson upper beak:
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1880/92452277.jpg) (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/92452277.jpg/)
"Your point?" he asked:
(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5258/55205067.jpg) (http://img145.imageshack.us/i/55205067.jpg/)
"You didn't even take a shower after the bloodfest?"
"How DARE you!" he screamed:
(http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/3483/39753141.jpg) (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/39753141.jpg/)
"I don't have to take this crap..............I'm outta here!"
(http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3047/37498684.jpg) (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/37498684.jpg/)
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I'm getting more daring. I took some shots of Hammy today by repeatedly sticking my hand and camera out of my living room window, which is about 8 feet from him.
I'm hoping what he sees bears no resemblance to anything that he considers tasty, but from his expression in this picture, I might have to rethink this.
He's got that zeroing-in, "you're mine" look. "You're mine" might normally be nice to hear on Valentines Day, but not from a hungry carnivore with talons and a still-bloody beak.
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With regard to his recent pigout on the van, this is a pretty interesting parallel story:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110220_City_s_new_pastime__Talon_shows.html
I guess this means that Meals On Wheels for raptors is going national.
Back home, Hammy's not offering me a lot in the way of photographic variety. I'm shooting less instead of repeating the same shots over and over. He needs to work on some different facial expressions and maybe sport some new outfits.
Meanwhile, I'm scraping for new camera angles:
1. This is underneath from the rear courtyard.
2. I realized I could also get a little above him. My living room picture window has two horizontally-sliding end windows that go up almost to the ceiling, so I could stand on its inside sitting ledge and aim downward.
3. I went out on the other side of the roof and got a shot that condenses my 3 east-facing windows: from near to far, you can see the living room window, the bedroom A/C window indentation and the other bedroom window indentation.
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I took this shot this morning.
I think he's getting used to me sticking my camera out the window. Before, he looked threatened - now, it's just an over-the-shoulder glance.
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Hammy showed up today in the late afternoon after the rain stopped. I wonder where hawks go when it rains...........probably not the mall or a bar because he looked kinda damp.
At first, I thought he was sitting with his tail doubled-up under him, but a closeup shows he had some tree bark. I thought maybe this was an initial sign of nesting instinct, but from what I've read, redtails build nests with a mate. I'm guessing that his talons ripped off loose, wet bark when he left the last tree he was on and it stuck.
Whatever - he didn't leave it on the A/C when he took flight again.
A few minutes later, I saw him flying around the neighborhood, gliding effortlessly in the stiff wind. It was the first time I saw him doing that and it was majestically impressive.
Unfortunately, by the time I got the camera, he was gone.
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I'm guessing the crimson upper lip is probably not cherry pie.
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Until someone puts a 7-story crane in the parking lot, this is the last angle available to me:
http://img577.imageshack.us/flvplayer.swf?f=M4ix
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Your photos of the Red Tail Hawk are amazing.
I live in Paramus and there are a pair of Red Tails who cruise around the wooded area behind my house, I feel fortunate when I get an occasional mediocre zoom shot of one of them roosting in a tree. Thank you, Hank.
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THanks!
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After taking off for a 3-day weekend, Hammy was at his usual post when I got up this morning, so I took some pictures right away.
Remember when I said I needed some variety from him, like a new outfit or something? I think he heard me because today he was sporting a glamorous feathery beak boa in white.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's Hammy Ga-Ga!
(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/9570/19957030.jpg) (http://img546.imageshack.us/i/19957030.jpg/)
I was so shocked that I didn't notice some schmutz on his beak until after he took off most of the boa. I'm not sure what that was, but I'll bet it had something to do with the boa's owner.
(http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/5748/18609578.jpg) (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/18609578.jpg/)
He wouldn't say who that owner was, but I found a clue after he left. It was probably this guy:
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5845/69293596.jpg) (http://img508.imageshack.us/i/69293596.jpg/)
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you are providing National Geo quality pictures of your subject..great stuff.
We have seen "our hawk" dive down and take a dove in an explosion of feathers close to the back door, one second he was there and then it was just a few feathers indicating something had happened. Another time one of them grabbed a squirrel and held it in it's talons until it was dead, he then did a series of short flights to get it to the nest since the squirrel was probably equal to the body weight of the hawk.
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Hammy gets published in the Hackensack Riverkeeper newsletter, but is upstaged by the mayor!
My bedroom A/C morphs into a penthouse balcony!
Film at 11!
(click to enlarge)
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"My bedroom A/C morphs into a penthouse balcony!"
The power of the press. ;D
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Hammy sightings are few and far between these days. He hasn't hung out on the A/C since early March. Occasionally, I'll see him flying around the neighborhood, but too far away for photos.
Today, I saw him fly to a tree on the SE corner of the E lot, so I went out to get some pictures.
When I got to the tree, there were TWO redtails there. The second one had very dark eyes, so it was a mature bird. It was also a bit bigger than Hammy, so it may have been a female.
Is Hammy hooking up with a cougar?
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Go Hammy! ;)
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If she is a female she looks like a tough old bird and bridegroom Hammy has the vacant thousand mile stare of a man who has
seen his days of freedom pass before his eyes.
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She(?) sat there atop the tree for almost 3 hours and never moved. I saw Hammy there for less than half that time and he changed branches a few times before he left.
She didn't appear to notice him at all.
Of course, it could also be an old buddy and they were just hangin'.