Brendan Finn, Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s Chief of Staff, had quite a commute on May 11th.
Excerpts from his note:
I have to share with you a fairly incredible experience I had this morning on the Springwater Corridor Trail adjacent to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. On my morning bike commute in on this beautiful day, I was admiring the many Blue Heron poised in the water. I love our official city bird, so stoic, but I’m really fond of the Osprey, which have returned from their winter in South America (right?). I often bow and make a little praying gesture as I ride under their nests. What can I say, I’m a bit of closet bird lover.
So, as I am staring at the Heron, I see a large bird come out of the water with what I think is a fish. I have seen this before and assume it is either a Red-Tailed hawk or an Osprey. Watching it fly away from the water, I notice that it has chosen to perch on utility pole about 300 ft ahead of me on the trail about 15ft in height. I’m pretty excited at this point because it was an Osprey and I was about to get a great view. Riding under I am amazed at the fish in its grasp and just then it begins to fly right over me. I’m nervous that I might spill off my bike looking up, but it was just too exciting.
This is when my beautiful friend decided to give me a gift. The Osprey released the fish, and it landed on shoulder and then my back tire catching my quick release, dislodging my tire and bringing me to a complete stop.
Shaking from this incredible encounter, a number of other bike commuters stop to check on me. One woman commented, “I saw that, did that bird attack you?” I quickly responded that I thought it was quite the opposite.
This joins the famous salmon in the bike lane as a reminder of the joys of our city.
What a fabulous story. Thanks for sharing Evan.
Brendan… Clearly the osprey was trying to send you and Dan Saltzman a message on some urgent policy matter. Call us at Audubon Society of Portland any time and we’d be happy to translate it for you.
Jim Labbe
Urban Conservationist
Audubon Society of Portland
What a great story. Sort of reminds me of the evening last winter when on my commute home on the SCT I was buzzed (strafed?) by a large owl – it flew right past my face, so close that I could feel the air moved by its wings and the warmth of its body. This is why I ride. There is no way to come that close to nature in a car (at least not without killing it).
I agree with Jim. I think he was providing a sample and asking that we redouble our efforts to clean up the river.
nice comment Jim… you had me laughing out loud on that one!