At one of the the local Public Schools in South Slope Brooklyn Beekeeper John Howe taught about bees. In the picture he's playing "robber bees" with my daughter Sophie. I'm in love with John Howe, who is Winnie the Pooh in human form. See the gorgeous creature in back? She's not a bee, she's Jody of Pistols and Popcorn, and if she writes about the day then I can't wait to read what she says. She and her brother are both up for Bloggee awards, whatever that is.
That's Vinny Voltage who transfixed my son with his science magic for an hour. He owns the best tie known to man, and also a large red crayon.
I don't remember the name of the young man from the Roosevelt Sanctuary who had a remarkably calm and sensible demeanor and puffy pink lips. He presented a domesticated rabbit, a rescued California King Snake, and this Harris's Hawk, who is retired from keeping an airport in Connecticut clear of birds. Anyway, I had no idea hawks were used that way. The only thing I know about Falconry is that you need to have a big big glove.
That's Dr. Dan and the Biobus. Doesn't he look like Ralph Fiennes? He told the kids that they were made of cells more numerous than the stars in the sky. Applause to the Science Committee, not only for stocking the school with attractive and knowledgeable men and women but for fabulous work putting together the best Science Day on record. And the kids, how can they be so young and so wise and articulate at the same time? They way they talk...
5 comments:
Oooooooooo, a good day to be a kid! I remember the guy who used to come to our elementary school with a bagfull of snakes. Isn't John a sweetheart?
Yes, he's a bit-a-honey if I ever met one.
Now I have to go look up Harris hawk.
Parabutteo unicinctus. Found in the SW US and points south of the border. I think these desplays would be much more effective if non-exotic raptors were introduced. That way, the birds wouldn't seem so exotic, but rather part of the fauna which actually does surround us. In our parts, after all, we have red-tailed, rough-legged, & red-shouldered hawks among the buteos; sharp-shinned, Coopers, and goshawk among the accipiters; kestrel, merlin, and peregrine among the falcons; as well as those loners the nothern harrier, osprey, and bald eagle (the cold is bringing the baldies down the river this year; Inwood is the best place to see them in the city). All of these birds end up at rehab centers, which is where most display birds come from, if they can't be reintroduced back in the wild.
I believe they brought a red-tailed hawk to the presentation last year, but I missed it. What's it called when they use the raptors to scare other birds away from airports? Is it common? This Harris and its parents were once working birds.
Hey, did you find any owl pellets laying on the snow in the cemetery? We missed the chance to dissect them at the science day. Also passed on dissecting the cow's eyeball.
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