Comments on: Red in tooth and claw

By: Tamar

Tamar — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:08:11 +0000

Paula — I’m going in your direction. For me, it’s a combination of wanting to be less squeamish, and living in closer proximity to my food supply, which has made me internalize the food-chain ethos. I still haven’t killed a mammal, though, or even a bird. Just fish so far, but I’m working up to it.

Susan — We followed Pale Male’s exploits when we lived in Manhattan, and Kevin named our hawk Pell-Mell in his honor.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:42:49 +0000

Just to say that, to my knowledge, Pale Male and his mate, Lola, are still residing on a ledge on a very swank building on Central Park, as they have done for years. (Mary Tyler Moore lives there, among other la-di-da types).
There was quite a to-do when the co-op board tried to remove the hawks by destroying their nest. There was picketing and much uproar as the building management were soundly spanked by the citizens of New York and the Audubon people and they were forced to encourage to re-nesting by installing a special ledge on which the birds could build. I believe it took the birds two breeding seasons to settle down and get back to producing, but they finally did. Our hawks are true Alphabet City denizens and they nest where they damn well please!

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:53:11 +0000

There was a documentary some time ago about a red tailed hawk that lived in NYC whose name was Pale Male. I think I saw it on public television. I wonder if it’s the same hawk?

I think the squeamishness is a fairly recent phenomenon, on the evolutionary scale. As late as the 19th century, before the advent of the refrigerator car, Birdseye, and the supermarket, a lot more food was grown, raised, and butchered at home. Because we’re so removed from the source of our food, we’re sensitized to the reality of how it becomes food. Three out of four sisters of mine have become vegetarian (and one is threatening veganism) because they just don’t like the idea of something dieing in order for them to be able to eat. I seem to be going the other way. Last night I watched a trailer from a documentary despite being warned that the guy kills and skins a rabbit in his backyard. I’m thinking of keeping rabbits for meat, and thought to myself, well if you can’t watch a guy dispatch a bunny, how do you expect to be able to do it yourself? So I watched and it wasn’t that bad. I’m not sure about actually doing it myself yet, but I think there’s hope, given my convictions about food production.

By: Tamar

Tamar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:08:42 +0000

Brooke — Thanks. Very much thanks. And ditto.

Susan — I’m so glad to get the view from Manhattan, which I miss!

Interesting that your hawks don’t seem to be any more initimidated by people than ours are. But I guess there’s no real reason for hawks to fear people — they’re safe from us, for the most part.

Continue to keep me apprised of NY wildlife, please!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:30 +0000

We have two hawks in Tompkins Square Park and one of them is a real camera hog. I have seen people gathering and when he thinks the audience is sufficient, he flies down for his close up. Very tame seeming, but I have also seen them hunting for pigeons on rooftops. They swoop down and the next instant they are in the sky again, birds in claws. They are really beautiful creatures and I love that I can watch this process with the Empire State and Chrysler buildings in my peripheral sight! I was also thinking that you are noticing new birds because most of the trees are bare and they are easier to spot.
Wishing you and Kevin a wonderful New Year, Tamar.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:49:51 +0000

I think it’s truly impressive when life gives you bookends for the life story you’re writing. Great storytelling here. I was with you every step of the way. Even back to the laundry room for a re-wash of the fish bloodied towels.

Happy New Year, Tamar. Your words and newly minted friendship made 2009 so much better!

By: beachnitpicker

beachnitpicker — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:39:03 +0000

No, I think the squeamishness was always there–it goes with a theory of mind–the knowledge that other creatures have their own motives, ideas, etc. In less “civilized” eras, however, everyone saw killing and got used to it. Yes, I remember bopping fish on the head with a hammer during fishing expeditions as a child. “Fish priest” is a wonderful name for the implement.

By: Tamar

Tamar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:24:09 +0000

Kevin — It is true that we get interesting birds in the winter, but I’m not sure we know how interesting our summer birds are. I think we should start paying more attention.

CCD — I haven’t even scratched the surface of bird calls yet, but it’s on my list.

BNP — I wonder if squeamishness pre-dates or post-dates civilization. When I read about the Egyptians or the Romans, it always strikes me that they’re more cavalier about death. Is it possible the squeamishness only confers a survival benefit (or success benefit) in a civilized world? And could it have evolved in a mere 3000 years?

Jen, Beth, and Mimi — Thanks for the fish-killing tip. I’m going to make sure I know how to do it, and have the appropriate tool. I’ve always hated hearing them flopping around in the well.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:48:30 +0000

Great story and video, Tamar. The red tail is gorgeous, and what would not be after a duck dinner. I looked up the American coot, and recall seeing them now and then in NE waters. The between-the-eyes whack really works – my hd. used to use the metal edge of the fishing net, bringing it down like a hammer. No more suffering.
Reading your blog regularly is more educational (and entertaining) than perusing most nature magazines.

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:19:13 +0000

I agree with Jen, and was just about to give you the same advice. I knock out or kill all fish with a head-whack – better than to let them drown gasping for water!