Pigeon in an Air Shaft by Chipka
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Description
I’ve lived in my current place of residence for nearly a year, and only yesterday did I discover an air-shaft located just outside of the bathroom. It’s little more than a vertical shaft that looks like the inside of a dead well, when viewed from one bathroom window or another. It’s grungy and spotted with pigeon litter. In fact, it’s loud with feral pigeon noise during early-morning hours; feral rock pigeons are strangely appealing creatures, and they make pretty good alarm clocks. Their warbling cooing noises are far gentler than a blaring alarm, and far more effective. I wake up to pigeon sound (if the bathroom door is left open) and come to the peaceful realization that my day is about to begin. This is particularly good if I don’t have to work. Usually when I work, I’m up with the pigeons and so scarcely hear them for the sounds of cooking in the kitchen, or the buzz of electric razors, and reports of “Traffic and weather on the Eights at News Radio, 780.” Radio announcements always sound so much better in Czech, but unfortunately, there are no Czech radio stations in Chicago. There’s a Polish-language station, and even a Russian station, but they’re not entirely easy to pick up, and well…Polish and Russian announcers speak so incredibly fast. Too fast for me to follow, at any rate.
I didn’t have to work yesterday. I didn’t have to listen to WBBM: News Radio 780. Oh, the bliss…the rapture! I didn’t have to do much of anything but read and post and contemplate the mouth-parts of a crane fly, after I’d posted the image. Shortly after noon, I heard pigeon noise. Incredibly loud pigeon noise. The kind of pigeon noise that made me think we had an accidental intruder in the bathroom. There was no intruder, but the noise remained. I raised the bathroom blinds, and saw the source of the cooing aria that drew me from my room. I’d always been vaguely aware of the air shaft that marks the architectural center of this building, but it never really registered. But because of epic pigeon opera, I saw the shaft in its full, grungy glory. I’d just missed the duel-scene: the villain had just exited stage left, and so the hero of the opera had the stage (window ledge) to himself. There were other pigeons on the ledges above. Fans of epic, avian opera, I suppose.
I was entranced. I’d only seen such gloriously dirty air shafts in Prague; though I’ve heard such extravagant pigeon operas in every city I’ve visited or lived in. The day’s heroic pigeon stood—smug and satisfied—on his (her?) ledge, and stayed there as I scampered for my camera. He (she?) was still there when I got back, switched my camera on and stole a few quick shots. This is the best of them, and it wasn’t until looking at it on my computer that I realized just how grungy that shaft is, and how incredibly red the bricks must be underneath all of that city-crud. I was amazed. I was driven to giggles of glee and to sing loving rhapsodies to the beauty of city-grunge—only I didn’t sing so much as just utter an occasional “hmm…that’s kinda cool.” I’d captured a pigeon. I’d captured dirty bricks. Life, at that moment, was very good, and this image is a testament to that moment.
It’s amazing how a pigeon and a few grungy bricks can brighten a rather dull (though relaxing) day.
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As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting on this and on my previous posts. Hopefully, you're all having a great weekend.
Comments (27)
minos_6
This image is textured and layered in multiple threads - the differing feather textures of the bird, the brick textures, the grime on the window sill and elsewhere - the sharp attention of the pigeon - this makes for a really interesting capture!
Seaview123
Interesting picture, and a cool looking pigeon picture. Nice work.
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous shot and like that bird
MrsLubner
I have a theory that pigeons only know the language of the country they live in. Speak to them in another language and they have no clue what that noise is you are making at them. :-) This is a handsome and sturdy bird. And a fabulous candid shot.
popeslattz
Nice desaturated shot. Love the bits of warm color, especially in the eye.
jocko500
cvool shot you did here
beachzz
Simple pleasures--pigeons and old air shafts--I love it!!
whaleman
Seeing something new is a great way to start a new day, especially when you don't have to work! S/he probably knows every nook and cranny in your whole neighborhood. I like watching pigeons around rail yards, cleaning up the grain continually being dropped all across Canada. Our grain transportation maintains quite a healthy pigeon population.
faroutsider
Avian operas... I love it! This guy looks pretty belligerent - master of his grungy ledge.
helanker
LOL! I laugh at what you wrote here Chip. I find it so amusing and amazing, that you can feel happy seeing so much grunge. I really like the thought of that. and the pigeon shot is fabulous. Well done with both.
Sepiasiren
Aww--now here is a critter I can get down with--how did u get that close without freaking the birdie out?
kgb224
Outstanding capture my friend.
durleybeachbum
A marvellous piece of mock-heroic writing. I enjoy so much how you imbue the ordinary with importance and specialness. The pigeon looks pretty pleased with itself!
jmb007
bonne photo!!
lucindawind
nice shot of the pigeon !!
flavia49
wonderful photo! I find this pigeon really elegant sporting the same eye color as that of the bricks.
watapki66
Great shot!
MrsRatbag
The "Rocky" of pigeons, proud and daring the next comer...wonderful shot and musings, Chip!
jendellas
S/he knew you wanted a pic, you can tell by the faceal expression:o) Loved the piece you wrote!!!!
jac204
Great shot and cool narrative.
sandra46
FASCINATING SUBJECT! i don't know whether humans divide themselves into pigeon lover and pigeon haters. But I know that I'm prejudiced and therefore i belong to the latter group...but one has to have prejudices and an array of sins to belong to mankind, and i'm not an exception...on the contrary! I can't say why i don't like them, but if i knew it wouldn't be a prejudice, of course! anyway, i like your shot very much, especially the way it comes out of the screen and the saturated color.
gonedigital
What a great photo. There is something about birds that is so mysterious. I love the fact that you caught this one looking at you. Nature can be so mind blowing if we just stop for a minute and let its glory shine on us. Lovely!!! Thanks for sharing.
KatesFriend
There is a certain sense of high heroism as your pigeon stands alone and victorious perched on one leg at his window sill. I lean, hungry look as Shakespeare might point out. A bearing that momentarily channels the great American bald eagle (more common in Canada these days apparently) with his/her pride and mastery of the airs. A finely sculpted beast. It's amazing how you can observe the most impossibly wondrous things in the most shunned of places. And I agree with sandra's obervation that he/she looks like he might just fly off the screen an into my room at any moment.
auntietk
The idea of epic pigeon opera is strangely compelling. I can only imagine your delight at discovering the air shaft in all its glory! :)
danapommet
I don't know but I think that you are getting a nasty pigeon look. Lots of cool textures from the screen, bricks, ledge and pigeon feathers. Super shot. Dana
kasalin
Very good and detailed composition !!!! Nice informations too :) Hugs Karin :)
shorterbus
It just occured to me that I'm working my way backwards through your life. I hope the exciting things in your life have already happened.