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The Majestic Raptor

12/26/2022

26 Comments

 
Picture
It was a cold, windy day in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida. As we were walking along, we heard a sharp, screeching sound and saw a huge bird flying above. For a moment it appeared still, with its wings spread wide. To our great joy, it flew down and settled on the top of a tree: it was the Red tailed hawk, one of the largest of birds in North America. 
Red tailed hawks have excellent vision. They can see colors, even  in the ultraviolet range, which we humans cannot and their fantastic eyesight helps them find and catch prey from far distances.  Red tails also have an extra eyelid. This transparent eyelid is called the nictitating membrane. They can close this extra eyelid when perched to shield their eyes from wind and for protection when diving into the water to make a kill.
Native Americans are said to have had a spiritual relationship with red-tail hawks. They are considered sacred and a protector spirit of the Cherokees. According to Native American shamans, the red-tailed hawk  with its sharp, eagle-like whistle indicates that ‘you should clear your mind.’ Moreover if one spots them it is an augury that something very sacred is about to take place and the Creator is giving a message that a miracle is on the way.
One of the Red tailed Hawks made its way to Manhattan in the 90s,  built its nest on a 12th floor ledge in Fifth Avenue and quickly adapted to its  urban environment with remarkable ease. It attracted a lot of attention and was called Pale Male. Soon Pale Male found a partner in Lola and sired many youngsters. Unfortunately they failed to reproduce in 2004 when the residents of the apartment that Pale Male had selected for its nest, had it removed. There was a huge outcry and the public railed against the move and protests stopped traffic along Fifth Avenue! Eight years later, his new mate Lima was found dead in Central Park, most likely from eating a poisoned rat. The fate of Pale Male is shrouded in mystery. It was the subject of a documentary and a slew of books.
During its presence in Manhattan it lured and inspired many urbanites to the pleasures of bird watching! 
​

Red tailed hawk
On its perch
A Hypnotic beauty
 
Kindly post your comments here!


26 Comments
Sobhana H
12/27/2022 07:43:32 pm

What a powerful picture and an equally powerful story

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/27/2022 07:56:53 pm

Thanks Sobhana

Reply
Nandini
12/27/2022 08:00:37 pm

An incisive piece, as sharp as the cones of the red eyed hawk! Raptors are my favorite birds. To sight a raptor in the wild is a primal experience indeed! The native American narrative and the wheezing whistle of the bird reminded me of the Brahminy kite, aka Garuda , and it's mythical and mystical lore.

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/27/2022 08:03:34 pm

True Nandini. In fact it is the call of red tailed hawk that is often used in hollywood movies for all raptors and even in scary situations to frighten the audience!

Reply
Valli Seshan
12/27/2022 08:40:53 pm

Amazing creations in nature, their habitats, survival skills
Thankful fir the bounty of natur
Thank you doctor Raghuram, one need not see it in vicinity but your passion takes us all

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/28/2022 12:11:19 pm

Thanks Valli

Reply
Nandini
12/27/2022 09:27:41 pm

Oh, really! didnt know that! The call of the red hawk! Thank you for this interesting trivia, Ragu!

Reply
Malathi Swaminathan
12/27/2022 09:44:50 pm

Thank you Sir. You are not just a birder there is that knowledge and cultural about them. The three line along the captivating glance and the end finish adds to the beauty. The way you describe can feel the place.

Like Nandini I too thought of our Garudan. Thank you Sir!

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/28/2022 12:11:57 pm

Thanks Malathi

Reply
Rajan Iyyalol
12/27/2022 09:49:10 pm

Dear Sir
Another lyrical account of the fascinating world of birds, unravelling the individual tale of one of its majestic members. A fantastic piece of nature writing indeed.
This deeply captivating story of
Pale male, revered by native Americans and adored by manhatten
Birding crowd tells us the perils of these species sitting on a knife-edge, and fighting for its survival in the urban concrete jungle. Displaced from its natural habitat to the far off and alien corners, their fate is not very different from Lima.

When reading this beautiful write up I recall Timothy Beatley, the expert in environmental planning and policy who argues for designing cities that incorporate ecological and environmental elements that actively attracts and welcomes birds as part of its urban fabric. ( The Bird- Friendly City: Creating Safe Urban Habitats by Timothy Beatley ). They are also the natural heirs of our urban skies which is monopolised now by the sky scrapers.

Your in-depth and fascinating facts about the subject of narration flows like a fairytale that gives the readers the inspiration to look around their immeadiate sarroundings and connect emotionally to the animal world and the wonders around them.
Three cheers sir
Rajan Iyyalol

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/28/2022 12:13:53 pm

Thanks Rajan. Unfortunately very few head to Timothy's advice. The saddest example is the architectural deluge in Bangalore, which are totally environment unfriendly!

Reply
Ravi M
12/27/2022 10:06:22 pm

Interesting

Reply
Krithika
12/27/2022 11:25:38 pm

Beautiful picture and lovely narrative to accompany!!

Reply
Dr Raguram
12/28/2022 12:14:12 pm

Thanks Krithika

Reply
Mitchell Weiss
12/29/2022 05:04:19 am

Truly an amazing photograph and engaging blog, like so many others of yours that enrich our days throughout the year. Looking forward to watch the documentary "Pale Male."

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/4/2023 06:55:45 pm

Thanks Mitchell

Reply
Elizabeth Daniel
12/29/2022 07:59:08 pm

The Native Americans believed that when the Creator wishes to send a message to his people, he gives it to the Red tailed Hawk, who Carries it to the World below.
Thank you Dr Raghu, for directing the Red tailed hawk to us, as we are poised on the brink of a New Year!
As for the message?
I suppose each one has to reflect in solitude and in silence and fervently hope that the guiding light of wisdom, that the Creator intends, will soon dawn upon us, as we step into the unknown .

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/5/2023 09:31:18 am

True Elizabeth. The vast unknown is within us...

Reply
Arun Kishore
12/29/2022 11:36:31 pm

You blend myth with reality and create a lovely story. I remember reading about Pale Male and feeling a sense of frustration.
Also remember listening to the cry of the raptor in movies. I've never seen one myself. Thank you Ragu.

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/5/2023 09:32:12 am

Thanks Arun. All animals and birds are exploring new territories these days!

Reply
Madhu
12/30/2022 03:36:11 am

Absorbing account with very expressive photo.
Thanks for sharing Sir:

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/5/2023 09:32:27 am

Thanks Madhu

Reply
Lata Hemchand
12/30/2022 08:54:31 pm

Dear Raghu,
Nature's wonders generally put us in a reflective mood. Your reflections are so multidimensional and a cut above!
What I love about them is the reverential feeling it inspires and the awe and wonder of that experience. Thank you!

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/5/2023 09:33:03 am

Thanks Latha. I forever in reverence with nature!

Reply
Chauki
12/30/2022 09:35:02 pm

Beautiful narration Sir. So many fascinating accounts. Thank you.

Reply
Dr Raguram
1/5/2023 09:33:17 am

Thanks Chauki

Reply



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