Valkyrie, the Queen of Tompkins Square Park, Squirrel Copulation, and the Jones Beach Saw-whet

Photograph by Francois Portmann, www.fotoportmann.com/
A treasure trove of this week's wonderful moments in Tompkins Square Park from professional photographer Francois Portmann.
And here comes Valkyrie gliding through the park--looking for something. Something to kill perhaps?

Photo by Francois Portmann
In this case, the something that she's killing is a stick. Valkyrie is young enough that she has the urge for "play". Play in young animals as in humans is activity that helps them learn control of their bodies and practicing the skills that are important in life.

Photo by Francois Portmann

Scoping the territory.

Photo by Francois Portmann

My, my, a pair of squirrels copulating. Spring must be just around the corner.

Photo by Francois Portmann

Valkyrie sees something and flies towards it with focus.

Photo by Francois Portmann
SNAP! And the rat never knew what hit him.


Photo by Francois Portmann

And off she goes to find a nice quiet spot for dinner.

Photo by Francois Portmann

Now what?

Photo by Francois Portmann

BAM! Time to kill another stick.

Photo by Francois Portmann
A passer-by gets the "look".

Note Valkyrie's feet. She grips one side of the bar with one foot and the other side with the opposite foot. That way she can't be blown off in a stiff wind, and she can push off in either direction.


Photo by Francois Portmann

Another stealth glide..

Photo by Francois Portmann

It isn't easy landing on points.

Photo by Francois Portmann



Photo by Francois Portmann

A Red-bellied Woodpecker keeps an eye peeled at the treetops.

Photo by Francois Portmann
Valkyrie the Drum Major throws her "baton" into the air.



Photo by Francois Portmann
THERE!

Photo by Francois Portmann
This squirrel has made a large mistake; Being seen by a hungry hawk while on the ground.

Photo by Francois Portmann
Mine.

Photo by Francois Portmann
And now to prepare and eat her catch.

Photograph by Richard Fleisher

Rich Fleisher, a professor at Fordham, a birder, and often a watcher of the Fordham Red-tails, Hawkeye and Rose, takes a winter trip to the beach and shares a treat with us.

Hi,

Went to Jones Beach two weeks ago and was lucky enough to see both a Snowy Owl and a Saw-Whet Owl. The Snowy Owl was too far to get a good photo but here is one of the Saw-Whet.

Best,

Rich

http://www.fordham.edu/politicalsci/profs/fleisher/richfleisher.html

D.B.