tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post1320480232909225239..comments2024-02-29T22:20:01.456-08:00Comments on Union Bay Watch : The Fastest Birds on EarthLarry Hubbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-79364461120622333852012-09-20T12:14:57.816-07:002012-09-20T12:14:57.816-07:00Ingrid,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and ...Ingrid,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. It is amazing that we can have nature experiences in a Fred Meyer parking lot. <br />Thanks again.<br /><br />LarryLarry Hubbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-67364017663304098792012-09-19T14:54:50.625-07:002012-09-19T14:54:50.625-07:00It's so true, Larry. And, as I'm sure you ...It's so true, Larry. And, as I'm sure you know, they evolved alongside Peregrines which probably accounts for their ability to out maneuver them ... provided they see the Peregrine coming. We watched a whole flock of pigeons consistently out-fly a Peregrine in a Fred Meyer parking lot a couple of years ago, until the Peregrine gave up.<br /><br />Through our wildlife rehab work in the Bay Area, my husband and I ended up rescuing two unwanted racing pigeons who had nowhere else to go. We fostered them for a year until we found them a permanent aviary. I got involved with a pigeon and dove rescue group, and my affection for pigeons expanded so much during that time. I continue to look at them, their flight skills, their intelligence, their parental loyalty, their beautiful plumage with admiration. <br /><br />I've read, and I'm not sure if it's true, that the respect Americans used to afford pigeons was eroded by the persistent efforts of pest-control companies. The flight museum here even has a small area dedicated to the hero homing pigeons that helped the war efforts. In working with these birds, I've come to wish that everyone understood that they are not "rats with wings." ingridhttp://www.thefreequark.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-38463419414019708522012-09-18T22:47:17.865-07:002012-09-18T22:47:17.865-07:00Ingrid,
Thank you for your kind words! Speaking of...Ingrid,<br />Thank you for your kind words! Speaking of pigeons, I remember years ago when I was first learning about birds. I saw a flock of birds and asked my friend Marcus what they were. He replied that they were pigeons. I remember my disbelief. I could not believe that pigeons a bird that behaves almost like a chicken on the ground could look so elegant and swift in the air. I remember asking Marcus, "Are you sure those are pigeons?" Marcus rolled his eyes and said something like, "Yes, I have seen thousands of pigeons and those are pigeons." Even today the transformation of a pigeon in flight still amazes me.Larry Hubbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-53964927781040729452012-09-18T13:08:54.319-07:002012-09-18T13:08:54.319-07:00Larry, this is absolutely fantastic ... with stunn...Larry, this is absolutely fantastic ... with stunning visuals that tell your story. I'm so glad you documented and investigated this event, for the benefit of the rest of us. :)<br /><br />I follow the Peregrine bandings back home in San Francisco -- on spooky-high ledges. I agree with you completely when I see video and photos of the researchers, one in particular, who consistently climbs to precarious heights for banding, rescues and other endeavors involved in helping the Peregrines. My unfortunate fear of heights gives me ample and added respect for the beautiful work of people like Bud. I'm so grateful for his efforts.<br /><br />Thank you for posting about 69Z, Bud and the dedicated people who champion and protect these wonderful birds here in Seattle and beyond. I will add my sympathies for the pigeon, too, since I came to work with many a Rock Dove in my wildlife endeavors. To watch a pigeon outfly a Peregrine is a spectacular sight, showcasing the undervalued talents and skills of our most common avian neighbors.ingrid (@thefreequark)http://www.thefreequark.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-82737055531709763212012-09-17T09:00:28.892-07:002012-09-17T09:00:28.892-07:00Thank you for the link to the very interesting and...Thank you for the link to the very interesting and informative story about peregrines on Portland's bridges.<br /><br />As it turns out my father worked for the Oregon State Highway Department in the 50s and early 60s. I believe my mother told me he worked on the early designs for the Fremont Bridge. It's just another connection to the story for me. <br /><br />Thanks again for the very interesting video link.Larry Hubbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-17132206345903984862012-09-17T08:20:27.224-07:002012-09-17T08:20:27.224-07:00What a great story and a fantastic blog! The adde...What a great story and a fantastic blog! The added backstory was very interesting! I always look forward to your posts popping up in my RSS feed reader. <br /><br />There was an episode a few years back on Oregon Field Guide about a similar program banding Peregrines on the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver. Great work by these folks and the ones you highlight here helping these birds back from the brink. http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1763Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823104925767444607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-70868277509690349682012-09-16T15:09:03.282-07:002012-09-16T15:09:03.282-07:00Dan, Thank you. It was a story that took a long ti...Dan, Thank you. It was a story that took a long time to develop. It just grew along the way. I am excited to get to keep a distant eye on the I-5 peregrines nest next spring.Larry Hubbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346591926338103362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340068615976654326.post-34859613942259244102012-09-16T14:04:25.687-07:002012-09-16T14:04:25.687-07:00Great story. Terrific images. Thanks, Larry, for s...Great story. Terrific images. Thanks, Larry, for sharing this.Dan Pedersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12394699068556538583noreply@blogger.com