[EBB Sightings] Memorable Sightings for Memorial Day Weekend

   Yesterday, relaxing in my Oakland backyard in the
late afternoon, I heard the unmistakable sounds of a
hooded oriole. Looking up at the TV antennae atop our
roof (I know, how retro!) I saw a bright yellow female
and her duller fledgling. Mom flew to the top of our
fig tree, calling softly, but her independently minded
young 'un toddled off elsewhere. The hooded orioles
are a regular and welcome component of our backyard
birds in the breeding season. 

On Saturday, I renewed our membership and visited the
Oakland Zoo, just one freeway exit away from our home.
In addition to the many exotic birds and animals, we
also viewed a handsome herd of turkeys, six bronzed
males and one duller female, strutting along the upper
portion of the elephant paddock. They fit in quite
well with the rest of the exotics. Don?t imagine that
they much visit the neighbors, though, our local
Oakland lion pride.

On Friday, I witnessed a far sadder thing. On my way
out of Huckleberry Preserve, I saw a large black bird
fly over my head. Since I was hearing loud woodpecker
calls and knocks, and thinking hard about pileated
woodpeckers that might be in the area (although this
was prior to the posting of the recent Redwood Park
sighting), I paused to observe more closely. The black
bird perched in the tree above me, then swept quickly
across the canyon, dropping into the top of a
eucalyptus. A raucous, anguished chorus of Stellar?s
jay cries greeted his arrival. The loud protest
continued, until the black bird (an enormous raven)
emerged with a fat, naked nestling in its bill. He
flew off. One of the Stellar?s jays continued to call,
but now in a low and mournful way. I have been amazed,
amused and annoyed by jays, but I don?t recall ever
feeling sorry for one before. While I commiserated
silently, the raven flew back with his wife, and
again, accompanied by a shrieking jay chorus, raided
the nest, removing and flying off with another
nestling. 

No wonder ravens are considered to be raptors; that
bird was monstrously huge compared to the jays, and
must?ve been like a visit from the Angel of Death
himself.

In memory of all who have been lost, on this, our
National Day of Remembrance,

Debbie Viess