chapter 285

Monk Parakeet

6/18/2012

Albany Gone Wild

link to Albany Gone Wild folder (25pics)

These young love birds are on spring break at this tropical paradise (?) near a drug store in Watervliet [my mailing address four decades ago]. Normally residents of Argentina and South America these 2 are taking a fling at upstate New York. The "birders" have never seen these Monk Parakeets (Quaker Parrots) here so it's pretty rare. It's mesmerizing to watch this cute and industrious couple working tirelessly to establish themselves. Yes, I actually zoomed in to the twig cutting and harvesting process. The eventual outcome may be a bid dubious  though, with the crows harassing and National Grid's dim view of this sort of thing, although they are very resilient.

It was quite amazing to visit this Lisha Kill Preserve right in the middle of suburban Niskayuna. With tall stands of 200 year old growth of Eastern White Pine and Eastern Hemlock along side a deep ravine it was a surprise to my old friend who had lived nearby for 60 years but never visited. It is said to be named for an Indian who was buried along the steam bank, but you couldn't prove it by me.

 Continuing the theme - took a quick trip a couple miles outside Schenectady/ Rotterdam to the  Plotter Kill Preserve . At first sight of the top of the falls you are drawn like a magnet to peer over the top of the rim to feel the 60 foot drop. Then I just had to scramble down the steep and dangerous embankment gouged by glacial waterfall action 10,000 years ago. Numerous rescues and deaths occur at these places. Beautiful and beyond picture capture.

Amazing that such wild nature exists so close to, in and around the Capital District, Thank you Nature Conservancy for preserving nature everywhere, although these would be great spots for a nice retirement housing development.

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