tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866Thu, 22 May 2008 02:06:21 +0000http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/noreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)Blogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3465563837106114260Wed, 14 May 2008 00:17:00 +00002008-05-13T20:23:08.816-04:00When I went to shoot the 79th St. chicks in the nest on Sunday morning I ran into Leslie Day who told me that none of the chicks had been seen in more than a day. A woman came by and said she saw the female remove a carcass from the nest earlier in the morning. She said she picked up the carcass and put it in the trash so the dogs would not get it. Leslie and I retrieved from the trash and I http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2008/05/hawk-chicks-at-79th-st-nest-succumb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3791985506108488901Thu, 01 May 2008 14:09:00 +00002008-05-01T10:30:33.650-04:00 The article below was from a recent New York Times Op-ed page. It reminds me that a strong form of biobigotry exists in our own back yard evidenced by the Central Park Conservancy's zealous persecution of Canada Geese in Central Park. For the past year the Conservancy has contracted with the "Geese Police" of Howell, NJ. These stalwart individuals appear every morning at the Lake and Meer and http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2008/05/bad-birds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-8819048532153315930Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:12:00 +00002007-10-16T19:16:37.704-04:00“We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals,” said F.D.R. “We know now that it is bad economics.” October 15, 2007 Op-Ed Columnist New York Times By PAUL KRUGMAN On the day after Al Gore shared the Nobel Peace Prize, The Wall Street Journal’s editors couldn’t even bring themselves to mention Mr. Gore’s name. Instead, they devoted their editorial to a long list of people http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/10/gore-derangement-syndrome.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-7036013017561741227Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:57:00 +00002007-10-16T19:20:22.611-04:00Wow, I never would have guessed. It's even worse when the dogs run loose in the so-called "Forever Wild" areas of Central Park. The Loch and North Woods have become Doggie Hell. I don't go there much anymore. Birdwatching in Central Park is a small part of the NYC economic engine and as the bird population declines so will the birders who visit the park. I am sure the hordes of European and Farhttp://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/09/dogs-and-birds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-301383485975742557Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:18:00 +00002007-08-28T20:23:37.102-04:00 http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/08/need-i-say-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-4198746142997904873Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:16:00 +00002007-07-20T10:22:20.790-04:00NATIONAL WILDLIFE MAGAZINE Aug/Sep 2007, vol. 45 no. 5 Images from an Urban Oasis Photographs by Cal Vornberger More than 200 bird species are regularly spotted in New York’s Central Park, and one remarkably patient photographer has spent thousands of hours capturing their behavior on film http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/07/cal-vornbergers-work-featured-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-2684243474922942909Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:06:00 +00002007-07-26T10:26:18.366-04:00http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/07/top-ten-bird-species-in-us-and-uk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3096742435142161873Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:59:00 +00002007-06-29T11:27:41.660-04:00From the Times of London. June 28, 2007 A flotilla of plastic ducks is heading for Britain’s beaches, according to an American oceanographer. For the past 15 years Curtis Ebbesmeyer has been tracking nearly 30,000 plastic bath toys that were released into the Pacific Ocean when a container was washed off a cargo ship. Some of the ducks, known as Friendly Floatees, are expected to reach http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/06/birds-of-different-feather.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3927940431676219464Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:18:00 +00002007-06-29T11:31:46.974-04:00 While photographing Piping Plover and their chicks at local beaches recently I was reminded of the furor these little birds caused in 2005 when they nested too close to the area in East Hampton where the annual Fourth of July fireworks take place. As usual, the New York Times was right on top of it, although Jerry Della Femina seemed a little slow on the uptake. June 23, 2005 Those Little http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/06/piping-plovers-doing-well.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-6095258471719692371Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:59:00 +00002007-06-27T21:15:33.530-04:00Haven't been blogging much lately--too busy with spring migration, school, and my new book. Check my gallery for current work. Those Piping Plover chicks look awful cute! Here is an interesting article I ran across on the Reason magazine site. It's an interesting perspective and one that bears directly on the Peregrine Falcons we see nesting on buildings in New York City. Many building owners http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/06/eagles-off-endangered-species-list-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-949242607861241539Tue, 05 Jun 2007 01:25:00 +00002007-06-04T21:56:31.230-04:00Red Knot are the long-distance champs among shorebirds. Their annual migration takes them from the tip of South America up to their breeding grounds in the Arctic and back again--a journey of well over 10,000 miles. The Red Knot population has been in severe decline for several reasons. Red Knot, like many shorebirds, rely on the eggs of horseshoe crabs to sustain them during their migration http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/06/red-knot-decline-ny-state-finally-does.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-669410227556887432Sun, 20 May 2007 03:02:00 +00002007-05-22T21:58:39.547-04:00I recently read, on one of the local bird lists, that a friend of mine, one of the Red-winged Blackbird that hangs out at Turtle Pond, had been disparaged by a local birder. Knowing this bird as I do I was shocked to read about what a "menace" he was. Why just last week he delighted a group of second graders I was leading on a bird walk and singlehandedly turned them all into bird-watchers and http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/05/i-recently-read-on-one-of-local-bird.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-5662548202978918598Thu, 17 May 2007 01:32:00 +00002007-05-16T21:33:56.310-04:00I think this is worth repeating...from the New York Times Plovers Take Heart By DAVID GESSNER Wilmington, N.C. SPRING spurs migration and for a couple of months now a great river of birds has been streaming toward us, our local woods, backyards and beaches filling up with song. For some of us spring also means a return to old battles, as we wage our local fights to make sure that the returning http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/05/plovers-take-heart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-167247431377548708Tue, 01 May 2007 02:05:00 +00002007-04-30T22:11:00.778-04:00There are two events in May in Central Park where I will be making a presentation and/or signing copies of my book, "Birds of Central Park." The first event is at the Dairy on Sunday, May 6th and is part of the Central Park Conservancy's "Meet the Author" series. I will be at the Dairy from 1pm to 3pm signing books and discussing my photos. The book will be for sale but you can also bring your http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/birds-of-central-park-events.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3663956045203821937Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:59:00 +00002007-05-09T19:24:10.567-04:00On May 10th the Parks Department’s long-standing "courtesy hours" policy will become a formal part of Park Rules and Regulations. The policy states that with proof of current dog license and rabies vaccination, owners can allow dogs to run off-leash in certain designated areas from the time the park opens until 9 a.m., and from 9 p.m. until the park closes. You can download the actual regulationshttp://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/new-rules-for-dogs-and-owners.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-2442649039600801031Sun, 22 Apr 2007 23:57:00 +00002007-04-26T20:21:08.576-04:00While photographing in the park today I ran across two Snapping Turtles that were in the act of mating in the far east corner of the Harlem Meer. As I pointed my 400mm lens at the pair a small crowd began to gather. Five minutes later a Central Park Conservancy employee appeared carrying a broom and a stick and went down to the water's edge. Clearly his intent was to disrupt the amorous pair. http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/no-sex-allowed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-6345090834809682985Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:42:00 +00002007-04-12T13:57:36.070-04:00I wouldn't mind this so much if the city actually enforced the leash laws in Central Park and the rest of the city. As far as I'm concerned let us have the Ramble and North Woods ( "forever wild" areas) free of marauding canines and let the rest of the park go to the dogs. I saw Rita McMahon, a friend and bird rehabilitator, last night and she said she recently stitched up a mallard that had http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/its-official-no-leash-required-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-5436033169309268487Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:07:00 +00002007-04-12T11:10:58.160-04:00I wonder if they know about the ones in my neighborhood at 103rd and Amsterdam. Wild Parrots Make a Home in Brooklyn April 10, 2007 — By Depti Hajela, Associated Press NEW YORK -- It is an urban jungle. Take a walk around the soccer field at Brooklyn College, and there, among the pigeons and starlings, you will see parrots. Bright green feathers, orange beaks, native-to-South-America http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/i-wonder-if-they-know-about-ones-in-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3693330489565170062Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:47:00 +00002007-04-12T15:56:44.321-04:00 There has been a beautiful male Common Loon in breeding plumage on the Reservoir in Central Park for the past three days.http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/loon-on-reservoir.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-4319870952926330792Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:07:00 +00002007-04-12T11:10:14.556-04:00 I photographed the Red-headed Woodpecker on Riverside Drive today. Two things I noticed about him: he is getting very red and it took about two hours before I spotted him. He seems to be ranging much further afield than in the past. Perhaps, with his shiny new head, he's looking for a mate.http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/i-photographed-red-headed-woodpecker-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-3162571454540960425Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:59:00 +00002007-04-12T17:29:29.146-04:00The "Geese Police" were in evidence at the Harlem Meer today but it did not seem to bother the geese or the children. These two were seen around 11:00 am, about 15 minutes after the goose patrol left the area. There were also several geese on the pool and the Reservoir. Couldn't the Central Park Conservancy find something more constructive to spend their money on?http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/geese-unfazed-by-geese-police.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-4811258800585614522Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:24:00 +00002007-04-12T17:16:36.295-04:00As I wandered around the Harlem Meer on Easter Sunday morning about the only bird stirring was the Red-breasted Merganser that has called the Meer home for the past two weeks. It was strangely quiet but it didn't dawn on me that it had nothing to do with Easter until I say the "Geese Police" SUV driving along the path on the north side of the Meer. That was it! No geese. The "Geese Police" and http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/04/free-geese.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-7940723092100144564Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:02:00 +00002007-03-24T23:16:59.372-04:00I have been out of commission with a bad case of the flu and today was the first day I have been out photographing anything in two weeks. I was on my way to the park when the Amsterdam parakeet colony caught my attention with their loud squawking. There were six Monk Parakeets about and several were engaged in fighting or mating (I couldn't tell which.) After a quick walk around the north end ofhttp://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/03/red-headed-woodpecker-gives-robins-run.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-1108210098651451804Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:16:00 +00002007-03-19T21:27:15.137-04:00The two Monk Parakeets I have been photographing since last November were joined by four more on Saturday. The two new pair enjoyed squawking loudly and one was observed trying to build a nest on an adjacent air conditioner. The original two did leave the comfort of their nest under the fourth floor A/C unit perhaps sensing their cosy home might be invaded by the interlopers. More photos in my http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/03/then-there-were-six.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9785866.post-372265255281622252Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:28:00 +00002007-02-28T22:25:32.342-05:00Check out my article, "The Birds Of Central Park," in the March 2007 issue of Outdoor Photographer and discover the unique opportunities for wild bird photography in the heart of New York City. Available at Barnes & Noble and fine newsstands everywhere. I will be speaking and/or singing books at the following locations this spring: April 7th at Belvedere Castle from 2-pm as part of the Urban http://www.calvorn.com/blogger/2007/02/my-article-in-outdoor-photographer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cal Vornberger)