tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:35:23 +0000Interested in nature with a focus on birding and astronomy. Current project is a visual hunt for novae or exploding stars in the Galaxy from New York City. Got hooked on discovering things while birding and found that the hunt for novae in NYC is right up my alley.http://novahunter.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)Blogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-7810505439858997441Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:29:00 +00002009-07-04T12:16:26.522-04:00RaptorsIdentification IssuesLumix FZ30Birds Female American Kestrel With Lizard MANHATTAN — UPPER EAST SIDE Images by BEN CACACE The nesting American Kestrels, on the Upper East Side in the mid 70s, have revealed the presence of lizards on their territory. The photo above shows the female after this lizard was delivered to her by the male kestrel. Over a period of a week or so I spotted the male bringing up to 4 lizards http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2009/07/american-kestrel-with-lizard-14-jun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-1310805333818950700Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:34:00 +00002008-04-13T20:00:38.933-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCBirds American Kestrels MANHATTAN — UPPER EAST SIDE Images by BEN CACACE The image above is an animation of 22 stills taken on Saturday 12-April-2008 from 6:03:20 — 6:03:32 EDST. The pair has appeared in the area for the current breeding season. The nest location has not been found yet. As far as I know this area has not hosted a kestrel pair for at least the past 11 years since I'vehttp://novahunter.blogspot.com/2008/04/upper-east-side-kestrels-mating-12-apr.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-3585887374823974181Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:25:00 +00002008-03-15T18:32:52.424-04:00RaptorsNYC: ManhattanField Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirdsToday I spent a half hour during lunch hour plus a little less than a hour after work watching raptors over Park Ave. from a convenient seat near 52nd St. From 12:20p to 1:10p there were 4 raptor sightings. The 1st was a local Peregrine Falcon circling west of the Met Life Building. The 2nd was a high flying Peregrine heading due northwest but I wasn't sure if it was a migrant or a local. http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2008/03/park-ave-peregrines-are-back-14-mar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-255689168448177293Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:37:00 +00002008-03-15T18:33:29.782-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30NYC: ManhattanField Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds Peregrine Falcon Perch MET LIFE BUILDING Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) During lunch hour today I spotted a Peregrine Falcon heading south while looking for American Kestrels from Park Ave. & 51st St. north of St. Bart's. It was a brief view of a falcon disappearing behind a building northwest of the Met Life Building (between 44th/45th St. & Park Ave.).http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2008/03/met-life-building-peregrine-perch-13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-575634152644683199Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:09:00 +00002007-08-23T15:39:36.023-04:00Field Reports: NYCBirdsCentral ParkDATE: Saturday, 18 August 2007 (3:45p-7:20p) LOCATION: Central Park - reservoir & north end REPORTED BY: Ben Cacace It's easy to see Central Park is not a nature sanctuary. While counting the Mallards on the Meer I spotted one with a huge fishing lure lodged in its lower bill. Last week the same was seen with a Canada Goose. While birding the Wildflower Sanctuary I was cursed out by a dog http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/08/central-park-report-18-aug-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-2440922883536317032Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:38:00 +00002007-08-12T15:59:56.858-04:00RaptorsIdentification IssuesDatabasesBirdsRed-tailed Hawks 2003 report on BirdHawk & OntBirds: Krider's Red-tailed Hawk at Grimsby, ON Sunday, April 13 Mike Street <mikestreet at hwcn.org> Wed Apr 16 07:40:13 EDT 2003 Ontario and Upper New York state birders should be on the lookout for an adult Krider's Red-tailed Hawk. The bird was seen Sunday, April 13 at Beamer Conservation Area in Grimsby, ON by Don Pleuramaki and myself. It was http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/08/red-tailed-hawk-links-7-aug-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-5895243708243115057Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:27:00 +00002007-08-06T23:36:25.358-04:00RaptorsField Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirdsIt was good to finally see a Peregrine Falcon tonight on its Park Ave. territory — north of the Met Life building. My last sighting was June 21st when a Peregrine was seen circling over Park Ave. with prey. It landed on 350 Park Ave. to eat the meal. Tonight I walked up Park Ave. to Border's Books which has been my usual beat since the Peregrines set up shop over Park Ave. this summer. On top http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/08/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-6-august.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-8708836509551357354Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:39:00 +00002007-07-27T13:44:55.160-04:00RaptorsPhotographyIdentification IssuesLumix FZ30BirdsCentral ParkRed-tailed Hawks Adult Red-tailed Hawk CENTRAL PARK — 85TH St. & 5TH AVE. Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) Tonight this adult Red-tailed Hawk was spotted near the north edge of Pale Male's territory. The hawk has a red tail. It was just inside the 85th St. & 5th Ave. entrance. Blue Jays and Robins were making a racket. It was fairly dark at the time of the photo — 18-Jul-http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/07/adult-red-tailed-hawk-in-pale-males.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-9215566854542269686Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:07:00 +00002007-05-24T22:27:25.676-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 320 Park Ave. 28-Mar-2007 These observations occured while heading back to work as I passed through the Park Ave. Peregrine Falcon territory. As soon as I turned the corner I spotted a falcon on 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Building’). The image to the right was taken on March 28th and is the exact same perch I found this Peregrine on. It washttp://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-24-april.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-6201946873518135571Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:28:00 +00002007-06-28T22:14:52.015-04:00PhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCBirdsCentral Park Three of Five Common Loons CENTRAL PARK — RESERVOIR Image by B. Cacace (click either image for a combined view) 420mm | ISO: 200 | Shutter: 1/160s | Aperture: f/5.6 The number of Common Loons in breeding plumage on Central Park's reservoir has increased to five. All were seen on the http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/central-park-reservoir-5-common-loons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-7801172634628083198Sun, 08 Apr 2007 04:25:00 +00002007-04-09T12:19:09.466-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds ♀ on 280 Park Ave. 7-Apr 5:25pm photo by B. Cacace 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/400s | Aperture: f/6.3 Above Park Ave. 7-Apr 5:28pm photo by B. Cacace 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/640s | Aperture: f/5.6 I decided to http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-7-april-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-2367483433701861954Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:29:00 +00002007-04-03T00:21:26.980-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 299 Park Ave. Image by Ben Cacace (31-Mar 6:21pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/125s | Aperture: f/5.6 I left the office late and didn't think to go birding but since there was still a few minutes of daylight left I headed downstairs to observe the Peregrine Falcons. It was worthwhile since I got to see a phenomenal stoop and the first evening roost of http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-2-april-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-4390145158344235560Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:34:00 +00002007-04-02T00:41:15.294-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds Peregrine Falcon 299 PARK AVE. Image by D. BRUCE YOLTON (Click image to visit Bruce's site with add'l photos) The above image was taken by Bruce Yolton on Saturday March 31st shortly after 6:30pm. Thank's to Bruce for allowing me to use his image on this blog. He had the right idea in trying to get as close as possible to the Peregrine Falcon. This was the easiest way of http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-31-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-526287235547045053Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:05:00 +00002007-04-01T00:05:51.093-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 320 Park Ave. (7:05pm EDT) 345mm | ISO: 200 | Shutter: 1/25s | Aperture: f/3.6 After spending a few evenings watching this pair of Peregrines some patterns are emerging: They prefer certain perches over others. Four buildings have been used for this purpose and 2 are used more often than the others. The preferred buildings are 299 Park Ave. http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/04/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-30-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-5075863087633181415Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:57:00 +00002007-03-31T12:35:27.740-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 299 Park Ave. (5:32pm EDT) 35mm film equiv.: 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/200s | Aperture: f/5.6 The evening session was cut short due to headache. Enough time was spent at the site to make it a worthwhile outing. I stayed for an hour arriving at 5:13pm. At 5:31pm, 18 minutes after arriving, a Peregrine was spotted moving south along Park http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-29-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-6476587499193944978Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:37:00 +00002007-03-28T22:37:34.820-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 320 Park Ave. (7:07pm EDT) 35mm film equiv.: 405mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/30 | Aperture: f/3.7 Activity was seen from 7:02pm-7:21pm. I arrived at 7:00pm and spotted a Peregrine Falcon exiting an opening from a building's south face. It then headed west, then north, then perched on the south side of 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Buildinghttp://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-28-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-1465104334573332899Wed, 28 Mar 2007 06:02:00 +00002007-03-28T03:16:02.613-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirds 299 Park Ave. (6:29pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 100 | Shutter: 1/500s | Aperture: f/3.7 320 Park Ave. (6:45pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/80s | Aperture: f/4.5 350 Park Ave. (6:32pm EDT) 317mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/80s | Aperture: f/4.0 The center http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/park-ave-peregrine-falcons-27-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-3522384555104266532Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:54:00 +00002007-03-27T11:32:57.298-04:00RaptorsPhotographyTerms DefinedLumix FZ30Daylight AstronomyField Reports: NYCPeregrine FalconsBirdsNaked-Eye Peregrine Falcon WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL — PARK AVENUE Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) Peregrine Falcon MUTUAL OF AMERICA BUILDING — 320 PARK AVE. Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) Recently I spotted some activity over Park Ave. that suggests there may be some nesting in the area north of the Met Life Building. On http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/park-ave-peregrines-cza-25-march-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-4295647632683275953Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:15:00 +00002007-04-21T21:45:59.699-04:00RaptorsCharts/GraphicsDatabasesBirdsCentral ParkRed-tailed HawksAttached is the document ‘History of the Fifth Avenue Red-tailed Hawks as of 4/21/06’ produced by Jim Lewis and supplied to me by Marie Winn. I've uploaded the document to my site in order to make it available to the public. Click on the title in quotes to view the chart ... Enjoy! http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/history-of-5th-ave-red-tailed-hawks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-6861128186999896720Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:01:00 +00002007-04-09T00:58:41.190-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30GullsField Reports: NYCBirdsCentral ParkRed-tailed Hawks Bald Eagle - juvenile CENTRAL PARK — RESERVOIR Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a wider view) Update 9-Apr-2007: I've spoken to a number of birders from Central Park who have birded there awhile and/or know the history of sightings in the park and the consensus is that this is the first confirmed sighting of a Bald Eagle landing in Central Park!http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/bald-eagle-on-reservoir-24-feb-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-8076831664747649765Sat, 17 Feb 2007 06:03:00 +00002007-04-08T16:06:03.139-04:00RaptorsPhotographyLumix FZ30Field Reports: NYCBirdsCentral ParkRed-tailed Hawks American Coots (6) CENTRAL PARK — RESERVOIR Images by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) Last night I made my first trip to the reservoir after work seeing that sunset is starting to fit in with quitting time. I arrived at 5:26pm, roughly 5 minutes before sunset. I left the reservoir a few minutes before 6pm. I didn't know what shape the reservoir would be in but I http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/central-park-reservoir-16-feb-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-8189204386214452404Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:31:00 +00002007-02-16T20:13:37.676-05:00RaptorsMiscellaneousBirds Some avian related items in the media to keep an eye on: PBS: Nature — ‘Raptor Force’ Sun., 18 Feb 2007 at 8pm & 11pm (Thirteen, WNET - New York ) “Raptors such as the peregrine falcon, golden eagle and red-tailed hawk are spotlighted. Included: a miniature camera captures the world as birds see it; http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/avian-media-watch-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-6814260068485554608Sun, 11 Feb 2007 01:15:00 +00002007-02-14T23:42:35.960-05:00MiscellaneousPeregrine Falcons   t     h   c l i c k   s   http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/poem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-4887523291559546905Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:39:00 +00002007-02-10T12:41:39.131-05:00RaptorsMiscellaneousBirdsRed-tailed Hawks Paul Giamatti ‘The Hawk is Dying’ (click pic for reviews) I just came across this film starring Paul Giamatti (‘Sideways’, ‘Cinderella Man’, ‘Private Parts’ …) released in 2006 called The Hawk is Dying. Here's the plot outline from IMDb: “A Gainesville Florida auto upholsterer (Giamatti) attempts to subvert his mundane life by training a wild, red-tailed hawk.” http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/film-featuring-red-tailed-hawk-2006.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11282687.post-1598820149963663728Sun, 04 Feb 2007 02:32:00 +00002007-02-03T21:36:14.188-05:00PhotographyLumix FZ30BirdsCentral Park Pied-billed Grebe — adult plumage CENTRAL PARK — RESERVOIR Image by BEN CACACE (Click image for a larger view) This Pied-billed Grebe is possibly the same bird that appeared on the reservoir for the 2006/2007 ‘winter season’ the day I was out birding with Omar Morales on 30-Sep-2006. It arrived in juvenile plumage and has recently begun to acquire its adult plumage as noted by http://novahunter.blogspot.com/2007/02/central-park-pied-billed-grebe-3-feb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ben C.)0