Pale Male and Lola sit companionably on their nest-- one of Rik Davis' photos that made the New York Times.
My friend and longtime hawkwatcher Stella Hamilton called today and my heart jumped into my throat. When Stella's name appears on my phone it is news that cannot wait. And as we weren't waiting for a hatch at Fifth Avenue and it isn't quite time for fledging my mind leaped to bad news.
Of all the possible bad news, this was bad news that never ever entered my mind as he had always been there. Rik Davis, a hawkwatcher, a photographer, a teacher of the pedestrian, who had watched Pale Male from the beginning, and who when I began to watch, was at the Hawk Bench with his beautiful photographs, a Swarovski scope set up for any and all who walked past the Model Boat Pond to look at Pale Male, his mates, and the 927 nest, was gone.
Stella told me Rik had died of a sudden massive heart attack at Beth Israel Hospital.
Always before when I would arrive at The Bench, even after having been out of town, kind. gentle, perceptive Rik would say hello, give me the report of what had happened earlier in the day with Pale Male and Company, and it was if I had never been away. I was restored into the rhythm of watching at The Bench.
Never competitive or secretive about what he had seen, he always shared. Everyone was included. It was Rik who put out the news that it looked like there was feeding behavior on the nest after five years of no hatches on the 927 nest and we should all beat it to the nest and take a look. No matter the good news days or bad he was the constant. He was just there.
I will miss my friend. We all will. And I know that Pale Male will look for him and wonder.
Update: A reader kindly contributed this link for a photograph of Rik,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1987porsche944/4421382266/
Many were the object of his kindnesses, who never knew his name.
Donegal Browne
10 comments:
Donegal, I heard about this yesterday and am so saddened. When I came to see Pale male for the first time, he was so very kind to me, showed me around, said "Here's Grandpa" as I looked through the scope. He took me up the hill to show me Pale Male's kids. He told me how magical this experience is for him and left me with stories to convey to our group at Washington Square. Rest in peace, Rik. You were the best and so loved. Pondove
RIP-here is a picture of Rik Davis by the hawk bench in Central Park. Many people may not have known his name but I'm sure they would recognize him from this photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1987porsche944/4421382266/
I will miss Rik too. We had wonderful talks about hawks and about his days in Chicago, where I also lived. I had visited with him last Friday and went back on Monday, to find the terrible, empty space on the bench. It's impossible to think about Pale Male without thinking about Rik. He was always kind and helpful to all.
Many thanks Anon. My photos that include those of Rik are currently beyond reach. And yes, I'm sure many knew Rik without knowing his name.
I have tears too. I saw Rik last Friday. I often sat on the bench we talked about so many things. He talked about his years in Chicago, and last weekend, he urged me to see all of Ridley Scott's movies. He was especially eager to watch the new Tom Selleck movie on CBS a week ago Sunday. I will miss Rik so much--never impatient with anyone, always iinformative, and always with a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh. Fran M.
Sorry Donna, I met him the one time I went to the park looking for Pale Male and Lola, he was so kind, and I even bought one of his prints. May his spirit soar in the heavens with the birds he loved!
This is so sad. I loved to look through his telescope and he always had to remind me not to move it. I can't believe he is gone. Rest in God's arms, Rik
Pondove, Thank you so much for sharing your memories of Rik. He surely was a very special man full of heart.
Indeed Sally, yes indeed!
Oh Fran, yes! Rik had a wonderful laugh. I shall very much miss that too.
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