Photo by Kevin Vaughn http://sunnydixie.blogspot.com/
Della Micah host of the blog, Hawkwatch at the Franklin Institute wrote referring to the Franklin Mom as they and the hawks wait for the first egg of the season-
"Optimistically, hawkwatchers comment on how "eggnant" she appears!"
I was delighted!
There is a good deal of "cross pollination" amongst hawkwatchers and here is a delightful example of it. The use of the word "eggnant" to refer to the appearance and demeanor of a formel who is on the verge of laying.
The Back Story.
Back in 2005, the year Pale Male and Lola's nest was rebuilt by them on 927 Fifth Avenue after its very well publicized and heavily protested removal by the coop board of that building, dozens of hawkwatchers turned to hundreds beside the model boat pond as the world watched whether or not the pair would be able to nest successfully after the disruption.
And as we watched Lola become heavier, all those yummy food gifts, slower, sometimes a bit drowsy during the day, and obviously hormonal as she perched in trees or on buildings, often with feathers a bit fluffed.
Marie Winn, who wrote "Red-tails in Love", Stella Hamilton, and I, stood in a group of watchers on the edge of the Model Boat Pond observing Lola's pre-egg laying demeanor.
This is the same Stella Hamilton, who this season was the Downtown Plaza Hawk Watcher when the Uptown/Downtown team went out to observe just what Pale Male, Octavia, Mr. Plaza and Mrs. Plaza were all up to.
As we all stared at Lola, suddenly Stella said, "She looks eggnant!" And a name for the "condition" was born. And as it turns out is now in use by hawkwatchers far afield from New York City's Central Park.
How grand!
Next Up!
WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK HAWKS!
PonDove, moderator of the NYU Hawk Chat Room reports that there are three eggs in the Bobst Library nest of Bobby and Rosie at New York University. She also has word that the NYU HawkCam will be running, if all goes well, by the middle of next week!
And don't forget you are all invited to join The Chat Room.
ISOLDE AND THE NEW GUY-- AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE!
Isolde has a special place in my heart as I've watched the Cathedral Nest for days on end in previous seasons. Here is the news I've gleaned from other watchers of the Cathedral Nest so far this season.
James O'Brien, of the Origin of the Species blog, http://yojimbot.blogspot.com/, caught Isolde flying off the nest for a break on Sunday! On Friday he reported that her tail was visible over the lip of the nest.
Therefor I deduce that Isolde she was only sitting half down on the nest so her clutch was not complete as of that day.
On further investigation...
Rob Schmunk, of http://morningsidehawks.blogspot.com/, and the keeper of careful Cathedral Nest stats, reports that on Sunday Isolde's tail was also visible, which means in my opinion, that she was still only sitting half down on the nest that day. And as keeper of careful stats, Rob reports that this pair has started a week earlier than usual this year.
(The term "eggnant" appears on Rob's blog earlier in the month as well!)
Among other contacts, I've sent out a query to Chris Lyons of Fordham asking after Vince and Rose. I'm hoping for news about them soon as well.
Happy Hawking!
Donegal Browne
