I’ve been talking a little bit recently about the intersection of the natural world with the urban landscape of Austin. Specifically, the proliferation of nighthawks, my budding fascination with Austin creeks, and the purple martins at Highland Mall.
Continuing that theme, take a look at this cellphone tower:
On closer inspection, you can see that it’s almost buried under the messy piles of sticks that are the nests of feral parrots.
Nearly every cellphone tower in town has got a thriving colony of parrots. In this case it’s a matter of two invasive structures complimenting each other. Ten years ago there were hardly any cellphone towers, and the parrots were largely contained on the UT’s intramural field.
But there’s just something that the parrots love about these tall structures and their metal catwalks. They must be vaguely analogous to some natural habitat.
The same day that I took that picture, I talked a friend of mine into going creeking.
We explored Boggy Creek, an eastside creek that becomes a concrete aqueduct closer to the lake. We found plenty of mosquitofish and tadpoles, but little else of interest.
It had rained earlier in the day, so there was actual water flowing.
You can see the legacy bridge, the stone and mortar center arch, surrounded on either side by the modern extensions.
Maybe a man of my age shouldn’t be mucking around in a creek, walking barefoot through the tumbling waters.
Meh. It’s only inappropriately immature if I get caught.