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Hunting Urban Wildlife

NOB HILL--I'm sure some of you think wildlife in Nob Hill and Albuquerque resides mostly in cigar bars. Not exactly so. The surprising fact is that the wild side of life is available just outside your window. Other times you may have to walk down the street. But let's start off with the most wild-ass sight of all: Dawn.

That Glow in the East
When I was younger I had never seen it...except on my way home. But now I seem to be getting up earlier and earlier. Dawn arrives in Nob Hill about 6:30 these days. If you can get yourself down to Central Ave. look right up the street. Wow. Here come the pink fingers of the rising sun. It hides behind the Sandias for a bit, then washes your face in sunlight. However I do hope you don't have to drive east into it.

That Bird in the Tree
A red-tailed hawk has been hanging out in Nob Hill for the last couple of weeks. The photo shows him in a tree over the big log cabin on Tulane SE. Unfortunately the bird is in silhouette, but the shape is telling.

Urban bird watching has become a big part of our life here. Our bird feeders attract all sorts of finches, doves, sparrows, etc. Some are beautiful, of course...but none can compare to that hawk.

The Fur Ball in the Branches
Biking on the north bosque bike trail is a whole 'nother country in terms of birds.

You are liable to see anything from cranes to eagles. But what is really fascinating to me is the porcupine population. Now with the return of cold weather and fallen leaves, the porcupines are once again visible.

The look sort of like squirrel nests, but if you have binocs or a camera with a good zoom you can definitely see that those fur balls have a face. This particular porcupine lives in the trees just north of mile marker 5 1/4. Last year another group of the prickly folk hung out around mile marker 6. I haven't seen them yet this year.

Ducks in the Pond
Last week I took my grandson to the UNM campus to fool around for an afternoon. Now that is such a wonderful place...all kinds of museums to visit. But the best part just has to be going to the Duck Pond.

It is such a source of contentment--even for jaded college students. Just look at the fountains, the leaves, the ducks and turtles, the stepping stones and waterfall. Just lean on the bridge railing and think how peaceful the interior of the UNM campus really is. It is hard to leave.

And it just goes to show that not all that's wild is gigantic or terrifying. Noticing the details is what gives my grandson such an entertaining afternoon. And it is what also gives our own lives its verve and splendor.

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Comment by Camian on December 9, 2008 at 12:31pm: Great photos, especially the sunrise. Thanks for the post and the lovely reminder of what surrounds us, even in the city.

Comment by Lee on December 9, 2008 at 12:50pm: Never seen a porcupine in NM, of course I didn't know they lived in trees so I was probably looking down when I should have been looking up.
Sunrise is a very private selfish time for me.. I frequently am downtown around sunrise..and love how quiet and solitary it is. Love the sunrise pic over nob hill... good stuff

Comment by Masshole in Fringecrest on December 9, 2008 at 1:00pm: Being up early with the infant these last months, I thought the view of the sunrise from the second story home office was our private selfish time... Camian, you'll be seeing the sunrise (and the dead of night...) in the same way in no time...

Comment by NMBosque on December 9, 2008 at 1:13pm: And don't forget the Cooper's Hawks around Ridgecrest...

Comment by Another Mike on December 9, 2008 at 1:18pm: I've seen a kestrel (unknown type) now and again east of San Mateo. And I'm not entirely sure, but I think I see a Williamson's sapsucker a lot in the summer.

Comment by Lee on December 9, 2008 at 1:42pm: oooohh sure.. now you just completely ruined my selfish private time

Comment by garyscoffin on December 9, 2008 at 2:39pm: This is a very positive and beautiful post. I appreciate you opening my eyes to more beautiful aspects of our City. Thank you. Its very refreshing!

Comment by Adelita on December 9, 2008 at 2:45pm: Johnny, I'm an early bird and like so many others, the early morning is my selfish time. I love looking out my kitchen window and seeing that gorgeous sky every morning. Can't believe I've never seen a porcupine in the bosque, though!

Comment by JMG on December 9, 2008 at 3:03pm: I saw a porcupine chomping on the rose bushes outside the Botanical Garden back gate last year. Once saw a great horned owl in Nob Hill. Apparently they live on (outdoor) house cats.