pjthompson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pjthompson) wrote2006-07-18 01:58 pm
pjthompson) wrote2006-07-18 01:58 pm
A predator in repose
The cantalilies were particularly lovely this morning—near six feet tall, some of them, and loads of bright orange blooms. They, at least, like the current humidity. The bougainvillea is looking fuller now, too. It was lush and gorgeous in spring; every evening when the sun sank low the trellis blazed with a glory of crimson-reflected light. It had died back a bit, but the humidity seems to have brought it back.
Today's view out the front window was further enhanced by a flock of red-winged blackbirds, clambering over the crimsoned trellis to get to the bird feeders there. We only see them for a few weeks while they're migrating south-north or vice versa. The Ballona wetlands are less than a half-mile down the hill from us so we do tend to get some interesting birds migrating in and out.
In the spring we had a kestrel nesting in one of the big trees on the other side of the back fence. We heard the piping call of the bird and its young for weeks. I love kestrels—such tiny predators. I love all hawks. I know they prey on the little birds that use our feeders, but they're just doing what comes naturally, so I can't blame them. And they are so beautiful, all hawks: their sleekness, their dignity, the utter stillness of their eyes. Is there anything calmer than the eyes of a predator in repose?
Today's view out the front window was further enhanced by a flock of red-winged blackbirds, clambering over the crimsoned trellis to get to the bird feeders there. We only see them for a few weeks while they're migrating south-north or vice versa. The Ballona wetlands are less than a half-mile down the hill from us so we do tend to get some interesting birds migrating in and out.
In the spring we had a kestrel nesting in one of the big trees on the other side of the back fence. We heard the piping call of the bird and its young for weeks. I love kestrels—such tiny predators. I love all hawks. I know they prey on the little birds that use our feeders, but they're just doing what comes naturally, so I can't blame them. And they are so beautiful, all hawks: their sleekness, their dignity, the utter stillness of their eyes. Is there anything calmer than the eyes of a predator in repose?
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This could so almost pass as one of the "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy" from the old Saturday Night Live. LOL...