"SILENT NIGHT FOR CHILDREN"

When I was a parish priest in the South Bronx (Immaculate Conception Church/School) I learned a lot about Marilyn Edelman Wright and The Childrens' Defense Fund which she began and spearheads still.  In the 7th grade I used this most wonderful Book Our Day to End Poverty in some social justice projects to end or abate world hunger and sickness...This is a video about urging our lamb duck legislators to avoid, not just the "fiscal cliff", but most especially the "hunger, sickness and poverty cliff" over which our poorest children will fall if budjet cuts adversely affect them.
 

'GRATITUDE'..short film from MOVING ART

My friend and film producer, Amanda Fugate-Moss, who recently produced a very fine film called "IMPACT' can be found both on YouTube IMPACT  and VIMEO IMPACT
...Amanda sent me this film she knew I would like very much.  It begins with..."wise words from a child".. Thanks Amanda and enjoy..
 

VIDEO ON ANDY ANDREW'S BOOK

This is a most poignant and disturbing whiteboard style video based on Andy Andrew's book, "How to Murder 11 Million People".  It makes one think.  And how important and at the same time difficult it is to think..
 

STATEN ISLAND AFTER HURRICANE "SANDY"

Eric Jankiewicz did this fine video on VIMEO on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island,NY.  This Sunday..maybe!!! the New York City Marathon will have thousands of runners  begin their 27 and a half mile run precisely in Staten Island which is the beginning of the Verrazano Bridge.  I place this video here with the hope that the Marathon, if it happens, will not hurt the most urgent recovery operations on hard hit Staten Islanders.

 

Staten Island After Hurricane Sandy from Eric Jankiewicz on Vimeo.

PARA HAWKING

This is truly a most beautiful video.  This HUDSON RIVER BIRDER "attempted" paragliding about ten years ago in Nevada with a good friend.  It was near Wells NV where my good friend and Redemptorist confrere, Fr. Brian Kennedy, was working with migrant peoples and local hispanics.  Unfortunately, after not being able to coordinate our "take off" and with two or three bruises, I finally let Brian go up alone which he did quite well.  However, since it was, as are the paragliders in this video, TWO PERSON PARAGLIDERS, Brian, being so light, could not get down for about two hours and 20 miles down the ridge.  I would so, so much liked to have an experience like these two men.
 

ILLEGAL-film about DREAMER DELAYED ACTION PROJECT

"THE CALL"--NARRATION FROM JACK LONDON

This video was shot in Brittish Columbia, Washington and Oregon.  I is quite beautiful.  Is a tribute to the works of the novelist Jack London, "The Call of the Wild" being one of his famous novels.
 

The Call from Returning to Nomadism on Vimeo.

FALL MIGRATION-2011 IN CENTRAL PARK

I would like to be in Central Park these days.  The Fall, as well as Spring Migration, is so wonderful there, mainly because New York City, and Central Park in particular...are "smack in the center of the so called Atlantic Flyway".. Enjoy Jennifer Dudley's film from last Fall, hoping for my friends Deb Allen, "Birding Bob De Candido" and others this is also a great Fall Migration.
 

Central Park Fall Migration from Jennifer Dudley on Vimeo.

BEYOND EXPECTATION-film by Lindela Mjexicana

This beautiful film by Lindela Mjexicana brings to happy memory the three years when we ran a most wonderful SUMMER DAY CAMP in the South Bronx through Immaculate Conception Parish.  With the organizational skills of Mr. Oscar Cruz, the dedicated help of many local counsellors, kitchen people and Immaculate Conception School we created a wonderful two weeks for children in the South Bronx.  We used Central Park quite a lot.  But we also visited Nature sites up in the Lower Hudson Valley near Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park.  It was a great adventure for inner city children that did not have access too often to parks and the wonders of nature.  Even places like Pelham Bay, with its crabs and wetlands or the Bronx Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo were part of what we, like Lindela provided for her children.  Enjoy this!

 

BEYOND EXPECTATION from Butterfly Films on Vimeo.

EARTH BY MICHAEL KÖNIG FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

Earth

by Michael König Plus shot 9 months ago. These are time lapse sequences of photographs taken by the crew of expeditions 28 & 29 onboard the International Space Station from August to October, 2011, who to my knowledge shot these pictures at an altitude of around 350 km. All credit goes to them.HD, refurbished, smoothed, retimed, denoised, deflickered, cut, etc. All in all I tried to keep the looks of the material as original as possible, avoided adjusting the colors and the like, since in my opinion the original footage itself already has an almost surreal and aestethical visual nature. Music: Jan Jelinek | Do Dekor, faitiche back2001
w+p by Jan Jelinek, published by scape Publishing / Universal
janjelinek.com | faitiche.de Image Courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory,
NASA Johnson Space Center, The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth
eol.jsc.nasa.gov Editing: Michael König | koenigm.com
Shooting locations in order of appearance:
1. Aurora Borealis Pass over the United States at Night
2. Aurora Borealis and eastern United States at Night
3. Aurora Australis from Madagascar to southwest of Australia
4. Aurora Australis south of Australia
5. Northwest coast of United States to Central South America at Night
6. Aurora Australis from the Southern to the Northern Pacific Ocean
7. Halfway around the World
8. Night Pass over Central Africa and the Middle East
9. Evening Pass over the Sahara Desert and the Middle East
10. Pass over Canada and Central United States at Night
11. Pass over Southern California to Hudson Bay
12. Islands in the Philippine Sea at Night
13. Pass over Eastern Asia to Philippine Sea and Guam
14. Views of the Mideast at Night
15. Night Pass over Mediterranean Sea
16. Aurora Borealis and the United States at Night
17. Aurora Australis over Indian Ocean
18. Eastern Europe to Southeastern Asia at Night


Earth from Michael König on Vimeo.

LUCY LIU'S FILM...REDLIGHT

I have been quite remiss in continuing to post nature photos on this blog. When I came to Esopus in 2008 it was, and still IS the focus. But gradually I have realized that what is and WHAT ISN'T happening....not just with birds and wildlife...but in HUMAN NATURE are important themes for this blog..
SO...I invite you to see a promo for Lucy Liu's new film, REDLIGHT which shows the horror, pathos and outright shameless treatment of girls enslaved into prostitution in CAMBODIA. Please ponder it!
TOM DEELY
THE HUDSON RIVER BIRDER

REDLIGHT Trailer from jillian selsky on Vimeo.

FOR JAYNE CHRISTINE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

I don't think that these are as cute as TRACE. But on your birthday I hope they bring "Happy Memories".
LOVE
UNCLE TOM

Koala Bears from Poh Chee Khun on Vimeo.

ONE OF MY "UNSEEN BIRDS"--COMMON YELLOWTHROAT

Common Yellowthroat from Harold Stiver on Vimeo.

MY FRIENDS THE HOUSE WRENS

I really have not been too faithful to my blog. Well, the fact is that, even though I call myself THE HUDSON RIVER BIRDER, I have really not been spending too much time birding. Oh, I HEAR plenty of birds! But to tell you the truth, even though I HEARD and IDENTIFIED them, I could not SEE them. Well, part of the lesson here was...KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. I was looking up in the Douglas Firs which abound in this Gatehouse where I now live in Esopus, NY. But the Wrens were actually entering and leaving the little Birdhouse Fr. Tom, Gene and I placed in front of our six tomatoe plants. Then, all of a sudden, THERE THEY WERE, scooting in and out of that old worn birdhouse. (The birdhouse had been built by our former secretary, Theresa.} For years it was mainly a well used home for House Sparrows when it was near the flagpole next to what used to be Mt. St. Alphonsus. Now the House Wrens angrily force out any bold House Sparrow that tries to take over (as many have tried to!!). I set up my powerful scope on the porch of my house right on 9 W here in Esopus and watch pretty much what the above Wren does with his "Daily Song". Enjoy the wrens.

LIFE OF THE FLOWERS (2:27 secs)

Continuing my work as an Embedder, I share with you all this beautiful video, THE LIFE OF THE FLOWERS.  Time Lapse photography in recent years has really become quite skilled and interesting.  One can see a place change from early morning till the dead of night as the light grows either stronger or weaker.  I think there is a "message" for us all in this.  Because when we begin each day and we think about what we want to do, what God "might be urging us to do" we might do a bit of "time lapse" look at our own lives as they went from the darker moments of confusion, discouragement, selfishness etc etc to the "brighter moments" of love, compassion, generosity, joy, Hope etc etc..  Enjoy THE LIFE OF THE FLOWERS.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

As I have said before, I have become, not so much a blogger as i have become an...Embedder!!  When I began this blog I wanted to present lots of "my own pictures and videos" of the flora and fauna, of the beauties of nature as well as the particular interesting history of the Esopus area of the Hudson Valley.  But my work, my talents...I have learned, do not allow me to always do this.  For this reason I have turned to places like VIMEO and, in today's case, to Richard Attenborough, to show some of the truly WONDERFUL nature videos.  In this one Mr. Attenborough recites the lines of WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD as we see some our world's truly wonderful signs ofGod's presence in our very own wonderful world.  ENJOY!!  (Many of my friends send me these videos.  In this case I thank my dear brother Daniel, for sending this to me)

CATHEDRAL OF "HOLY FAMILY" OF GAUDI IN BARCELONA

BIRDER AND BROTHERS IN SPAIN

WINDOW IN GAUDI'S CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY FAMILY IN BARCELONA-SPAIN

 

OSPREY---THE EXCELLENT FISHER

I think I am becoming, not a Blogger, but an...Embedder.  I don't know if that is the way it is spelt.  I took some great pictures at Franny Reese Park in Poughkeepsie NY last rainy, misty Sunday.  I will share some of them in a day or so.  But this great slow motion video of an osprey hunting is just so superb.  My friend Kevin MacDonald sent me it. It is just great.

THE REASON FOR EXISTENCE--A VIDEO

Today is my brother Dan's birthday. I sent him this beautiful nature video from VIMEO. So I hope you all enjoy it too.

ON MY FATHER'S SIDE--A VIDEO

As the White Throated Sparrows come back North, (the "Canada, Canada" call was immistakeable this morning), as well as the Chipping Sparrows that just love every corner of what is now THE MOUNT COMMUNITY, I post this nice Country Western song, "On My Father's Side" that dramatizes the 12 year old Jesus on his first ("of many") family journies to the Temple in Jerusalem.  This morning, as we see Thomas "finally believing" that Jesus had truly risen I see that, not just Thomas but ALL of us have to not just ASK.  We need to "go right out there" and FIND the marks of the wounds of Christ which are many in our world.  Thomas would ask us to "put our own hands into the wounds of Christ", but believing that each and all of us in the BODY OF THE TRULY RISEN CHRIST have the love, compassion and very power of God to heal, to alleviate and to pour the oil of our love into the many wounds of Christ in today's world.  This week is dedicated to Migrant Peoples.  Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles said yesterday in an interview that the first immigrants in the history of the world were Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden of Paradise...but invited to "find their way back to paradise" through hard work, pain.  In other worlds ...through FAMILY LIFE.  Enjoy this video.

A "SPRING ROBIN VIDEO" FROM FRED MARGULIES

My friend, Ronnie just sent me this quite fascinating video done on VIMEO by Fred Margulies, who, by the way, lives just a "bit" upstate in Margaretville, NY.  This video is one of Fred's many.  He does videos on social issues of the community.  And I am sure that, since the desvasting rains caused flooding and quite horrifice damate in that area of Margaretville, that Fred has used his skill to help and martial help for the community.  MEANWHILE, this video which he did a few years ago, starts with four beautiful "Easter eggs" in a robin's nest.  It is quite a commentary of what I'd call the "Full nest...and then the empty nest" that all parents love, serve and create.  ENJOY!!  And thanks, Ronnie, for this great video.  (I am not recently a "consistent blogger", but when something from the Hudson River like Fred's great video, well I just have to get working)



Robins: 4 Eggs, 4 Weeks from Fred Margulies on Vimeo.

REMEMBER FALL AT THE MOUNT

My brother Dan, who has come to love THE MOUNT as many of us, has an interesting album of pictures of it.  These are two of them for which I am most grateful

FALL IN THE MOUNT NORTH ENTRANCE

FALL SKY AT "THE MOUNT"

IT'S NOT ON THE TEST

Today I was going through my personal diaries which I began in 2007.  I found a phrase, I loved that song, IT'S NOT ON THE TEST by Tom Chapin.  I had no recollection of the song.  So I found it on YOUTUBE and share it with you.  Not to ruin the song for you, just let me say that the song is about all the so called "unimportant items" that back in 2007 were being taken out of school teaching, things like music, drama and, as the song says so powerfully.....rational discourseg.  With the great failure of diplomacy today, wars in Afhanistan, Iraq, and now Syria as well as the growing threat of a confrontation between Israel, Iran and the United States it is so very clear that songster Chapin certainly "knew what he was singing about". The video for the song, "Not on the Test," that Tom Chapin wrote with John Forster expresses their disappointment in the lack of arts education in public schools. SO LISTEN, ENJOY, UNDERSTAND....AND PRAY FOR THE RETURN OF RATIONAL THINKING TO THE WORLD...(and...be honest now!!!! if necessary...TO YOURSELF.

"FOR ALL WHO LOVE THE SEA" VIDEO ON CANARY ISLANDS UNDERWATER LIFE

Besides enjoying my missionary work with Hispanics here in North Carolina (town of Ashville) I still love to embed here some of the finest nature footage that I find on VIMEO.  This beautiful, graceful and fascinating under and "over" water film is by Raffa Herrero Massieu.  It was shot by Raffa last year, 2011 in the Canary Islands.

Another world from Rafa Herrero Massieu on Vimeo.

A WALK IN CANDLER, NC

Here in Candler, NC which is North Carolina mountain I took a walk along Asbury Road, then up to Holecomb Road to Mountainside Trail which is a steep road that goes up about five hundred feet with properties up and off each side.  There are beautiful Hereford cattle, black sheep as well as white ones and one or so horses.  It was a cold afternoon after celebrating Mass in English (Fr. Alex) and Spanish (myself, this "Birder").  Our soup and roll supper and social and preaching and night adoration and Rosary did not begin until 6 pm. So I had a nice two hours to discover the bright blue and sunny winter terrain of this northwest North Carolina town of Ashville/Candler. Here are some of the sights I captured.

.....And then some fine people from St. Joan of Arc Parish were with us as we preached the Word of God..My emphasis was "LENT...A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER, RETURN TO..AND BECOME STRONG IN THE BODY OF CHRUST.

BILINGUAL PRE LENT MISSION IN ASHVILLE NC WITH FR. ALEX

I am now in St. Joan of Arc Parish in Chandler NC which is quite close to W. Ashville NC.  Fr. Alex Ortiz my Redemptorist confrere and  I are giving a Pre Lent Retreat until this Thursday, Feb 16th.  There was high wind and snow yesterday.  Here is a shot of the Chandler sunrise with the bright sun coming through a huge, I think White Pine or maybe it's a Loblolly...Let me know.

LAST RETREAT AT THE MOUNT

Below is the picture of a very enthusiastic and beautiful group of Brazilian and Portuguese youth from St. James Parish in Newark, NJ.  (My dear friend and classmate from here, The Mount, ...Clement Krug is the pastor there). Actually the last retreat directed by one of us two priests, Fr. Tom Travers and myself...was directed the previous weekend with a group of seven men who were part of a Catholic university group in City College, NY back in the 60ties.  I directed their retreat and spoke on our Redemptorist spirituality of CRIB, CROSS, SACRAMENT and MARY.  I knew that soon, when the Bruderhof Community would become owners of the building there was a great probability that the wonderful statues might be removed from the chapel.   (This has happened.)  So I used all my love of our Roman Catholic arquitecture and the statuary of Joseph Sibbel to develop my themes on Christ's Paschal Mystery.....
The following weekend Fr. Celso, a most joyous and holy Brazilian Redemptorist priest brought our retreat work here to a close with this wonderful group of youth.

WALKING MY "OLD HOME"...AND "BEING HUMAN

Today I walked the perimiter of THE MOUNT which was my home for these last four years.  It will have been the home of our Redemptorist Semimary for 85 years and a Retreat Center for the last 25....On Feb 1st the Bruderhof Community (Christian Communities Inc.) will move here and create a Christian School...
I trust that they will love and care for these 413 acres as we Redemptorists have. ...Today, as I walked the perimeter scaring up the Black Ducks that winter along the streams, and snowshoeing out to my favorite Purple Beech and the Old Pell Silo, I prayed for this great piece of land to be loved, cherished and to continue teaching others to love God and one another.
....And speaking "loving one ano.ther" please enjoy this great video called..BEING HUMAN...... ..

THE HUDSON RIVER BIRDER..."PINES A BIT"

I have not written anything for quite a long time.  Originally I created this blog to show the birds, trees, flowers, river scenes and many other beautiful and interesting historical and ecological elements that are found here in the Hudson Valle...here in Esopus where I live.  I still live here in Esopus. I still am roaming the 413 or so acres of what has been called MT. ST. ALPHONSUS since 1907.  I still take the two hour hike up the White Trail from the Esopus Firehouse to Lake Louise on Shaupeneak Ridge. But, as the title says this Birder has been "pining" for a while.  The reason is that, at the end of this month I will no longer live at Mt. St. Alphonsus, although I will be "close by".  Our chapel (shown here) will be occupied by the Bruderhof Community who will run a Christian School for High School children.  (In the LEFT of the picture there is a CROSS of five salmon colored tiles. In 1965, when I was only 26 years ago I was ordained a Roman Catholic Redemptorist missionary priest as I knelt on that "Tile Cross".)

I love the Bruderhof Community and have many friends among them, most especially Brenda, Ben, Lisa, Ben Jr., Micah, Joel and Sammy.  I wish them all well.  At the same time I will continue to enjoy God's creation both on the property of what we called THE MOUNT as well as along the Hudson River, up in Mohonk and Minnewaska and so many other beautiful places here in the Hudson Valley