voyageur

Blood Bath in Beacon Hill Park!

Literally ...

I live right across the country's largest heronry. My view is directly onto their large nesting tree. And so it happens that once in a while my eyes glance over to their nests.

For most of the elderly folks in my building the heron tree is prime entertainment. Not one elevator ride goes by without someone mentioning the herons. Especially, during this time of year. It is afterall mating seasons and so neighbours identify who has moved into whose nest and who has mated. Beats awkward conversations about the weather.

Mating and breeding season is a bit of a nuisance though. Herons mate loudly. Awkward birds as they are, their shrill voices sound through the park and keep everyone awake. And unfortunately, herons seem to prefer midnight as primary mating hour. I have spend several of my first nights in this apartment trying to figure out what in all hell's name would make such a sound. Almost human, elongated eeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghs cut through the night and wake a weary sleeper. But somehow they have become (somewhat) family to me.

Yesterday, a disturbing sight caught my eye. During several walks along the shoreline I have been spotting a beautiful exemplar of a bald eagle who has moved into the park. A little odd choice for a hunting ground, but an amirable sight. Unfortunately, the eagle had a prime feast yesterday afternoon. He landed on the heron tree and emptied all the nests. All thirteen of them. One after another. And wat did those stupid herons do? They were sitting around him screaming and watching. Nothing else. Niente. 26 birds and no communal spirit to shoo away the agressor. No instinct to save their species. Almost human.

Now, who do I side with. Both animals are on the endagered species list.

Posted by christian at April 1, 2007 7:53 PM