Zak Rudy has been fortunate to observe a pair of Peregrine Falcons mate and nest near Timber Cove over the past several years. Zak has seen the male, who he says is waiting for his mate to arrive. The sun was shining brightly on the chest feathers of the world's fastest animal.
Here's another photo Zak took a week or so earlier when the skies were cloudy.
Thanks to Zak for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Zak Rudy was at Jenner recently, which is at the mouth of the Russian River. I'll let him tell the story.
“After making one strike and coming up empty, this Bald Eagle returned to find his breakfast. He was fishing just south of Jenner along the river.
“Notice how much initial loft the bird gets, but he has to grab the fish by its back. Then, in one motion, the eagle flips the large fish upside down so he can carry it by the soft belly, truly a remarkable and risky feat. The fish tail drops back in the water, but he was beautifully triumphant in the end!”
And here the Bald Eagle eats its meal.
Thanks to Zak for a very interesting story and for sharing his photos with us here.
I'll let Zak tell the story.
"A Red-shouldered Hawk alighted upon the very same spot on the Redwood where the Peregrine Falcon has been doing his courtship for the last two years. He was only too eager to primp and pose for these shots, trying his luck at the ladies."
“The Peregrine Falcon returned a few days later, to claim his territory with the lady bird, as they bonded two years ago. The monogamous pair now returns every year around this time to do the dance.”
It's always a treat to see a Peregrine Falcon and the beautiful hawk! Thanks to Zak for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
We've had two adult Bald Eagles spotted fairly regularly in Jenner, more specifically at the mouth of the Russian River. Zak Rudy took an interesting photo showing the size difference between the big eagle and a Common Raven.
And here the Bald eagle stares at a wave, perhaps looking for a nice fish to eat.
Thanks to Zak for allowing me to share his photos with you here. Here is the information on Zak's event this Saturday: Poetry In Soundspace Motion: POLYRHYTHM
Saturday June 20, 7:30 pm
Arlene Francis Center 99 6th St. Santa Rosa, CA
https://www.facebook.com/events/360115404174025/permalink/389891994529699/
Founded by North Coast resident Zak Rudy, and Shey Roth, Poetry In Soundspace Motion is now onto the third show at the Arlene Francis Center. This show, POLYRHYTHM, is a collaboration with with North Coast resident Phillip Meshekey. We are featuring a storyteller, a poet, a spoken word artist a musician song writer, and a freestyle hip-hop artist.
Phillip Meshekey is an established poet and spoken word artist of the First Nations, the nephew of John Trudell. His background in the arts and activism for the cause of Native rights shapes his poetry with deep meaning beneath the surface, as well as passion for living and loving, on Mother Earth.
Along with Phillip, representing the Pomo First Nation is Sal A Martinez, another established poet and native language historian, with a genuine, learned pen, bringing critical, often underappreciated subject matter to the fore. His gifted ability to present poems, often using humor in the face of racism, is a model for how we should all look at and respect the true first Nation here in this country. Sal will also edify the audience on just how distinct Native cultures were on the North Coast, helping non natives understand why there's no one label to identify all of their vast and unique cultures.
Zak Rudy has a long time association with Native peoples, though he is not Native. His study is in the art of hand drumming, having studied with Ghanian master Kwaku Daddy for five years, as well as playing with bellydancers even longer to the present. He brings a unique style, frailing a tenor banjo, drumming and strumming, as well as playing a doumbeck simultaneously as a background for the poets, performing original songs as well.
Gretchen Butler is a brilliant artist living a purposeful life off the grid, deep in the woods. Her work has been featured at the Quercia gallery in Duncan Mills. Now she will bring the same three panel epic piece, “Crossing the Garcia” to this show, audience members will have the chance to meet Gretchen and talk to her about her work. As well Gretchen will be performing, telling a story of an encounter with another long time resident in the woods where she lives, a rattlesnake.
Anthony “Underdog Rising” has a passion for freestyle hip-hop rhyming verse, focused on the positives of life rather than the typical negatives, he is refreshingly good at this medium of art.
Justin Walters is a very accomplished musician playing multiple string instruments, featuring the violin, he will play for poets as well as accompaning the dancers with a Persian themed set.
Zak Rudy recently photographed a Peregrine Falcon near his home in Timber Cove. Here's his story:
Zak Rudy wrote, “It’s been months to get a good photo. This one was almost by chance rather than intention, as most of the best shots do come. This is a male Peregrine Falcon waiting for his female. They’ve been having their courtship in my back woods off Timber Cove Road. Unconcerned with the flock of chickens literally below him, blinded perhaps by desire!”
To hear the call of a Peregrine, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/peregrine_falcon/sounds
There are many fun facts on the site, including the fact that Peregrine means wanderer. Peregrines have one of the longest migrations of any North American bird. Some travel more than 15,000 miles in one year! And nary a frequent flyer reward to be found.
Thanks to Zak for allowing me to share his photo with you here.