Lincoln City ~ And an Awesome Souvenir!!

My goal for driving today was Lincoln City. I had located on the map that they had a campground here, and also I had received a brochure from them in the large packet of things that were mailed when I asked for travel info.

I arrived, and found the campground, and arranged to stay the night. The fee is $17 to camp, and you don't have to have a State Park Pass like you do in Wisconsin. Cool!! Cool!! I then went out to go see their beach. It took awhile to find one of the access ways, but I did find one. And upon my entrance to the beach . . . lookie lookie what I found!!

Lincoln City has a lively glass blowing culture here. During the wintertime they have an event where they place beautiful glass floats randomly on the beaches, 2000 in all, distributing a couple a day. I had read this in the brochure, and though what a wonderful thing it would be to find one . . . . and as soon as I stepped onto the beach, I DID!!

They are inspired by rather ordinary glass floats that originally are blown by Japanese fisherman, that sometimes break free and have traveled across the ocean and washed up on the beach. However the one I found is substantially more intricate than a utilitarian one used for fishing.

A wonderful souvenir for my trip here!

Missed a Picture

I accidentally erased a couple of these pics in the next posting, so here they are, and a few more added in. As you can see . . . the forest comes right up to the coast, and then just drops off. In fact at lease one of the trails down to the beach was closed due to erosion.

Everything is soft and misty . . . well . . . because everything is misty!

Very beautiful though . . . in a rugged kind of way!

Pacific Coast, Ecola State Park, and Cannon Beach

I was up very early this morning. I was off to bed pretty late too! So I didn't get a whole lot of sleep! My CouchSurfing hostess had to go back to work today, and had to leave at 5:45, so I was up and ready to go too. She tells me I'm the first CouchSurfer to be up and leave that early! I followed her directions out of Portland with the goal to get on Hwy 23 headed to Cannon Beach. I managed to miss some exit somewhere, and drove a few backroads, but eventually found my way.

There is a network of mountains, not really high ones, that follow to the left of the Willammette Valley. These are called the coastal range. They are covered in pines. And because this range receives all the moisture off the ocean, the pines are also very covered in moss. Never mind it being only on the north facing side of the trees. It covers them, and drapes from all sides.

I've included a couple pics here, but you really can't get an appreciation of proportion. I call especial attention to my friend Spooky. Check it out! You may like to hug these, but you'll get wet and slimy and green if you do!
There is lots of water! Lots of water running off everywhere! I stopped and checked out some weird looking plants along the road. The air is very heavy with a deep green scent.

There were other trees I saw driving with more substantial moss coverings.

I arrived at Cannon Beach just as Pink Floyd on the radio was playing "Learning to Fly". I thought it appropriate. I then couldn't find access to Cannon Beach, so ended up doing a turn around and went to Ecola State Park. I'm glad I did, for I was one of the first people to arrive. I had the overlook to myself for awhile, and then drove up and around the hill to one of the beaches, which I also had to myself for awhile. I worked my way down to the actual water line and walked a ways down.

All I saw mostly was sand and rocks . . . lots of rocks. And some drift wood. What sealife I did see was either sea birds, or occassionally the remains of someone's breakfast.

But you can't beat the scenery!

The forest comes right up to the ocean, and then in many places just drops off into the sea.

I looked in some of the tidal pools, but never found anything other than sand, and rocks, and some green plants.

There are several places where fresh water runs off into the ocean. Here you will find many fresh-water lichen and mosses.

Finally . . . . Haystack Rock. It was actually not nearly so impressive as Ecola State Park, mostly because the town of Cannon Beach surrounds it, and is all touristed up. And what the heck is that line in the picture? Must be a piece of my hair.

Spring in Portland

Today my CouchSurfing hostess, Cadence, showed me Portland! Again, all of this is in reverse order because there is just too many of them, and it is late, and I'm tired. I'll post the pictures and come back later to add to the text.

Below are incredible pictures of Rhododendrons (tree like) and azaleas (bush like) to be found in the Rhododendron Gardens. They are all in bloom right now. The colors are amazing! The city is filled with beautiful yards. Stunning!

These pictures below are from people's yards that I just saw and stopped and took pictures of.

First thing this morning Cadence took me up towards the Columbia River Gorge which separates Washington from Oregon. There is a scenic drive that follows along many beautiful waterfalls. The most spectacular, and one of Oregon's signature tourist sites, is Multnoma Falls.

Earlier we stopped at one of the smaller waterfalls. I had to take a picture to show the fresh green coming out on the pines here. The colors, even the greens, are intense and beautiful.

And fields are full of wildflowers.

OREGON

So . . . . here I am! I finally made it to Oregon!

I guess I have to thank a certain Soil Scientist in Pendleton for steering my attention this way. Because of this friendship, I became aware and took a much greater notice of the area. Looking at a map, the Eugene area has particularly caught my attention. It is one hour to the ocean, and one hour to the mountains. There is a very large hospital there that is hiring Respiratory Therapist right now. On Thursday I hope to meet with someone in their RT department just to make initial acquaintance, and establish a contact that I might be able to follow-up on in a year once I'm done with my training. Because of this friendship . . . I wanted to come to this area and check it out . . . as a potential home for me to set down new roots.

Finally . . . I am making that trip!

At this writing, I'm sitting in a very quaint pub that is part of a chain of establishments created by the McMenamin Brothers. This one is called the Kennedy School. They are old buildings in and around Oregon that have been referbished, decorated, turned into restaurants and hotels, and lots of quaint bars. It is very comfortable!

OK . . . in reverse order, my trip here!

This is the view inside the airport at Portland. I hoped for a sign that said "Welcome to Portland" but only saw one as I was driving onto the freeway . . . and could not get my camera out.
I was assigned a window seat, but upon boarding, found myself in a 2-fer row with a young man whose wife was on the 3-fer row. They asked if I would switch so he could sit with his wife. How could I say 'no'? So I switched, but then couldn't look out the window. But I did have a front row, aisle seat, so lots of leg room. For most of the trip it was cloudy, but for awhile there was some pretty spectacular scenery. I don't know if this was over the Rockies or what. But it was stunning!

As you can see . . . this is in reverse order. I flew out of La Crosse on one of the little hop jets that you have to walk out to.

Liz took me to catch my flight . . . . I decided on a whim to take my little stuffed red-tail hawk. He's the only hawk I have now. I need to name him. Maybe on this trip I'll come up with something.

We had breakfast early early (like 4:30 AM) at the Perkins in La Crosse, so I could be at the airport by 5:30 or so.

Here's the little hawk looking over one of the wonderful travel guides the Tourist Department of Oregon was so kind in sending to me. It helped me to plan my trip, and the places I wanted to see.

Vacation to the Pacific Northwest

Greetings from Downtown Portland!!

I'll just post very quickly a picture to start this series off. I flew in yesterday, and will blog very soon. For now, I'm using the free WiFi that is universal throughout all of Portland. How cool is that!! Anywhere you are, you are online! However there is not WiFi signal where I'm staying.

The city is in total spring bloom. I never realized how gorgeous and how many colors rhododendrons come in. So now we are off to the Rhododendron Garden. Much Much more later!

Gotta Go!

Camping

I had this weekend off, and decided to do another test run of camping. I'll be bringing my gear with me in a large duffle bag, to Oregon. It was raining on Friday, and Saturday dawned rather cool and wet, but the day improved, so I did not get a test run in the rain. However, the night was rather cold, and I made some adjustments, which I'll duplicate on my trip.

I took myself to Brunet Island, which is located where the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers conjoin. I had read that loon had been seen in the area, and that sealed the decision. Once there, I did hear one single loon, which sang it's loud call notes briefly, and then was done. No tremmalo, no other utterances the whole trip. Some geese came down into the pond at night, and made a morning fuss the next day.

I drove there, and it was a very pretty spring morning. I took the picture below on the journey back. Wisconsin is a very pretty place, with it's rolling farm fields. I'm just ready to explore some new place. I'm getting excited about next week!

I camped, I made a fire, I cooked my dinner, I was in bed right after dark. All the guys in the camp site a few sites down, apparently on a fishing weekend away from their women, drank and made noise late into the night. I ignored them. In the morning I rose, and stirred up my fire to heat some water, and just enjoyed the cold morning with the geese. I've often had people express alarm for my safety when I camp. I believe all the campgrounds I have been to thus far to be very safe. People respect your privacy, yet, if you needed any help, a shout would bring help from all around. These are very family-oriented places! Hopefully i'll find conditions in Oregon to be similar!

Just one more week left of school, and I'm off on my vacation. Let's go!!

"Happy" Chernobyl Day!

On April 26, 1986 reactor #4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in northern Ukraine exploded, causing the worst nuclear accident in history.

And on the other side of the world, on that same day, in a modest Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas, I took my vows to a man that I was married to for 20 years. He prefers I not include his name here, for he's requested I remove it previously. Those who know me though . . . know.

On my 20th anniversary, with the decision having been made, pretty much by him, that we were to divorce, he announced to me he was wanting to move in with my former best girlfriend. He had been living on his own, sortof, since the previous December. Though in reality he had moved about 2 minutes from her house, and I'm sure she was there all the time, and probably helped him to select his dishes, and towels, and bedsheets.

But this is not why I am here . . . .

There has been much contemplation over these last couple years. There is still many times no resolution for me. I cannot speak for whatever he may be feeling, if anything anymore. My very limited information network informed me earlier this year a wedding was being planned. And for all I know, it has already occurred.

There is a terribly dark ball of pain that still exists for me. Sometimes, I pull it out and poke at it some, usually in the dark of the night. It is an uncomfortable mix of lonliness, and rejection, and sometimes regret, though I refuse to accept much of the blame that was given to me. But of course everyone sees themselves as innocent. After all, who had a replacement for his bed when he left? Before he left! And who still sleeps alone?

There is a song by Sting. It is called "Lazarus Heart". It was written in memory of his mother. There is a significant line in it as follows:

He looked beneath his shirt today
There was a wound in his flesh so deep and wide
From the wound a lovely flower grew
From somewhere deep inside
He turned around to face his mother
To show her the wound in his breast that burned like a brand
But the sword that cut him open
Was the sword in his mother's hand

It is only those that we love very much that have the power to so wound us in their leaving. And whereas the pain is not nearly so intense as once it was, it never goes away. It is a lifetime in healing, if ever. At least for now it still seems that way.

I could write the things that I feel sometimes. Sometimes I rehearse speeches that no one will ever hear, and give arguments that have already been argued, and went no where. I wait for the time when they will no longer haunt me, and I will no longer feel the need to drag out that black ball and poke at it. And I often wonder, do days go by for him when he does not think at all about me?

For there is my despair sometimes, and my failure. I still live on the island where a previous life was lived. But all the inhabitants, to include especially two certain individuals, all fled some time ago. And whereas I've moved to the other side of the island, and slowly, painstakingly I'm building a boat, and wait for a wind that will take me away from here, sometimes I still have to walk by the ruins, and the charred remains of all that was burned down. There is no replacement for me. No one feeds my soul!

And I find myself asking, with as far as I have come in these past two years, how would he have fared if the roles had been reversed? If he had been the one who was left and replaced immediately, how would he have coped? And if because of the depression of the situation he lost his job, what would he do? And then because of financial situations he had to sell the house and move, to survive, would he? And would there have been the determination to make a decision and to finally for the first time in your life to stick with something to see it through to the end . . . . would it have happened?

I'll keep my opinions to myself.

This blog is about hope. MY HOPE!! I am two weeks away from completing the first year of an associates degree in Respiratory Therapy. This is the form of my boat that will take me away from the lonely island. At least I hope and I dream as much so. At the end of those two weeks I am also catching a plane to Oregon, where I will drive and walk across a goodly chunk of the Western half of the state, to look, to feel, to come to understand if this is the place I shall build a new life. Upon my return I will dive into the summer schedule, which will begin an intense second year. I have been accused of many things, but especially of being stubborn and bull-headed, and focused. These are good qualities when you have only yourself to rely on!

Ecologists have surprisingly found that in the devastation of Chernobyl, in the absence of human activities, the wildlife have thrived, both plant and animal. Certainly, the overwhelming radiation still plays a major role in the impact of life there . . . . but there is life! And in a way, that is my reality as well. There are days and times when I feel confident and proud of what I have accomplished, and what I am going to accomplish. I bask on the beach of the island in the warmth of what I am building, and the confident knowledge that I am accomplishing it all on my own, for myself. For so terribly long in my marriage I wanted to be out of debt. I am there now, and with funds in savings. I live in my means, and I save. I am finding ways to fund my education. I'm willing to take the risk! What choice did I have?

Someone who was once significant to me said, "Grow or Die". I refuse to die!

The endangered animals of hope and happiness sometimes come out of the dark forest and walk through the crumbling streets. They spook easily. But they are there!

When he left, he said to me that we needed to learn to live as individuals, for we left our parent's homes to live together. I have been learning! There are still some lessons to be mastered, and confidence to be acquired. But I AM LEARNING!! Sometimes I regret all the many years that I have wasted hanging onto a relationship that in the end did not wish to work through the "bad times". I gave up jobs, and moved many times, and supported an ego that decided to gain its support from another now. I wonder where I would be now if my father had made the offer to me, that I later found he wanted to make in 1986, of a promise of a new car if I'd but stay in college and not get married. My own spouse many times asked of me where I think I might have been if I had accepted the offer.

It really doesn't matter now. History is written. It is the future now that concerns me. I want a future where I no longer work to please another, but instead live for my own goals. It is just taking time for me to get in touch with them. And to tell myself, and truly believe it, that I deserved better. I have been learning from my failures. I will go on to benefit from my successes.

Where does that path lead me? I cannot say! But tomorrow is another day, farther down the path and closer to the goal. I do harbor one emotion that I will share here, though it may get me an unwanted e-mail. I don't wish for those, and in fact still daily check the mailbox that he sends notes to, though very infrequent now these last many months. I know I've not made it easy, for I have been terribly emotional. Sometimes the island is very dark, and there is no one to dry the tears that still come sometimes.

I wish for equity! Still! A term you did not like me to use, but whose definition I see as completely different now. When you left, you said we should learn to live as individuals. I hope in the fullness of time, and strongly will the Law of Three . . . . that you some day will have to learn this lesson as well, truly, and with no one to lean on. You may be blissfully happy right now, but you were that way with me once. That is, I think you were. When did it end? For at least 18 of those years I was dedicated to you. When I began to question all that I was, I found out that I would have to acquire those answers on my own.

And I have! I continue to learn.

Though I am fairly certain I will never know, I will this nonetheless. And if nothing else, if there be a life review at the end of days, I hope you feel every tear you have given me, because of this wound that refuses to heal.

And in that thought, I'd say "Happy Chernobyl Day"!
Life comes back! Slowly, perhaps deformed and stunted. But life does come back eventually.

The Herons of La Crosse - Where Did They Go???

Well . . . . pop my little bubble!!

I was having a pretty good time hunting down the 35 herons, most of the 25 I had found so far all on my own, without any help from any lists. I took pictures of each, their GPS coordinates, and published them here.

I got an e-mail yesterday . . . . .

Seems members of the board at The Pump House want to keep a tight control of the marketing of this project. They don't want any pictures out on the web, except the ones they have approved. The letter tossed around the word "copyright" a few times, as if implying taking pictures of something that is out on the street for all to see and observe is illegal. I would argue that point on principle, but only to that level because I don't know any attorneys, and have no interest in a fight. I was doing exactly what they want people to do . . . . get out and walk around and find them all. The only difference is that I was documenting that quest in pictures in an open forum.

I guess I could launch into a diatribe about the nature of art, and how sometimes that which is created can take on a life all its own when interpreted into different media or a different medium. I could also get on a soapbox and complain that because I was not selling any of the images, nor had any interest in doing so, and was giving full credit to those who had done the original work, I had the freedom of speech to document the search, and was violating no copyright. However, I am not a crusader. I'm just a student trying to get by right now, finding interesting things to write and take pictures of, in the absence of a bird in my life to blog about. I've had my share over the last couple years of being told I was so wrong about everything. I also found coming to live in the city a bit stifling, what with having to put a shock collar on my dog to keep him from barking and disturbing the neighbors, parking the right way in front of my home, and having to explain the large raptor in the backyard . . . which surely must be breaking a law somewhere! (CLARIFICATION - I am a LICENSED falconer, and allowed to have the hawk, and proved that to Animal Control when they came calling. My point here was the nosey neighbors who figured I must be doing something wrong and reported me, even though I had already talked to them when I moved in, and told them I was licensed to have the hawk). I felt quite a thrill when I heard about this project, and was having fun bagging cranes (since I can't bag bunnies anymore).

I'll probably see it out through the end. I still have ten more to find, many of which I know the location, but several are still not out. I still intend to make a geocache event of it. That should surely meet the goals of those who created the project. The only way to complete the geocache is to actually go and see each one. But it's not as fun as having pictures to prove!

My overall impression was that I was helping out the project. A Google search would find my page. All those people I had told about it responded in a favorable manner, and indicated they would have to go find some of them. I've had positive feedback on my blog, and my visitor tally has jumped. I invite anyone who has been coming here to please feel free to express your thoughts direct to the Pump House. A Google search will find them easily enough. Be nice though! I'm not going to include any e-mail addresses. Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight.

But I do disagree!

The Herons of La Crosse - The Gathering

Many of the herons are still at the Pump House, waiting to be delivered to their summer locations. I'll individually go find each one once it is placed.

Fun Fun!!

The Herons of La Crosse

This will begin a rather large project I have tasked myself with. This summer the Pump House, a regional arts center, is sponsoring a community project to enlist the residents and visitors of La Crosse to enjoy and appreciate art. Thirty-five larger than life herons have been painstakingly decorated by regional artists and local community centers and will grace various locations in our city for the summer. At the end of the summer they will be auctioned. I'm assuming the proceeds will benefit the ongoing artistic endeavors of the Pump House.

Be sure to click the pictures for a close up view. It's worth it!
I stopped by today and was able to witness some of the final touches being administered to this most beautiful heron. Her name is Rose of Heron, and her artist is Judy Thelen.
By next week all the herons should be delivered to their summer homes. Today, I tracked down six of them, took their pictures and the GPS coordinates. I have set myself a goal to track them all down in the very near future, and post their pictures here, and create a geocache tour . . . that is unless someone else beats me to it.

What a wonderful project!!

Thank you to all the artists who participated and shared their eyes for art, their humor, their soul.

Final Pictures

Final Fly Off
Our Last Picture Together

Many thanks to Lenore Schroeder, the DNR Trails and Team Leader for Wildcat Mountain State Park. She took some wonderful pictures, and mailed them to me. Thank you Lenore! I particularly enjoy the final one of Nina flying away. I'm glad you caught that, and shared!

I called her down one last time for a meal on the lure.

Clipping off her Federal Marker. She no longer needs that.

Touching a Hawk! All people, but children especially can come to appreciate that which they can touch and see up close. Appreciating leads to loving. Loving leads to conserving them, and the wild places they need to live.

Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOWefw0ALqk

A friend sent this song to me today, and a quick search of YouTube found a video. Sorry I can't seem to actually post the vidoe here, so you'll just have to follow the link.

Thank you Quiet Bird! It's a nice song, as I mourn a little letting my bird go. But she is free now!


The Eagle and the Hawk by John Denver

I am the eagle, I live in high country
in rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky.
I am the hawk, and there's blood on my feathers.
But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.
And all those who see me, and all who believe in me
share in the freedom I feel when I fly.

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops.
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars.
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
and all that we can be, and not what we are.

And So It Is Done . . .

Today, April 5, 2008, I released, returned my third hawk back to the wild.

I had planned to do this alone, but instead met a couple people to include the Ranger at the office of Wildcat Mountain State Park. There is an open field on top of the mountain by the office which was really the perfect setting I wanted to release Nina into. I took her out of the box, unhooded her and clipped off her Federal band. She promptly demonstrated what a casting looks like by bringing one up for observation. Oh yum! We walked into the field, and she did fly up to a tree. However, very shortly she came down for the final meal I offered her. That done, she hopped up to my fist one final time, then took off again, spread her wings, sailed around in a complete circle and flew into the coniferous tree line behind us, out of view. I walked back to the office with my little audience, then indicated I wanted to walk in the woods for a bit. A few minutes into that I heard all the resident crows putting up a fuss. Sure enough, I found Nina high in a tree getting harassed. But after a bit they flew off. I went back to the car to get my camera, but could not find her when I returned. So . . . she is gone. I took a picture of the overlooking valley. It was early, 9:30 or so. She has many hours until sunset to adapt to her first day of freedom since she was trapped in 2005.

All my hopes and best wishes go with her!

FLY FREE NINA!!

May you have a good life! Thank you for all the wonderful hunts, and for letting me be a part of your wild life!

Bling

Nina and I took a little road trip today. A quick one. We drove down to Prairie du Chien, crossed into Iowa, and met up with a man named Jon Stravers. Our meeting was to acquire some jewelry, some "bling" for Nina to wear the rest of her lifetime. I met Jon last year at an Audubon meeting. He conducts research on migratory birds, more specifically on red-shouldered hawks. At that time I got his contact information and asked if he would be willing to band Nina when it was time for me to release her. That is what we did today.

As you can see, the band is rather large, so it would not have been possible for her to wear it and her anklets and jesses. I took those off that leg to receive the band. I then took off the rest of her equipment for this picture. All that remains is her Federal marker, which will come off when I let her go.

I have this weekend off. It is to get into the 60s tomorrow. 50s on Sunday, with a possibility of rain. It is time! I've fed her up on almost all of the remaining meat I have left. Just a couple frozen bunny legs are left, and I'm sure I can find someone to give those to. She weighed in at 52 oz today. Thats 5 oz over hunt weight. Her keel is nice and fleshy. She'll get one last good feeding tomorrow as I'm letting her go. She's in her mews now cropping up on a leg.

The time comes for one more 'Goodbye'! I think I will go to Wildcat Mountain State Park. There are lots of woods there, with squirrels, and it is some distance from houses. I want her first couple nights out on her own to be away from people. That's as good a place as any. The warm day tomorrow should create thermals. It will be a good place and time to send her on her way.

She's been with me since the Fall of 2005. I've had to let go of a terrible number of things and people since that time. Sometimes, I still carry and mourn the wounds received over these last few years. At least this parting is mixed with some happiness. She's a good and strong hawk. She has hunted well. She has been telling me she wants to go. I am happy to give her this freedom. It is too late in the year to hope she could find a mate for this season. But spreading her wings and flying to some place new and setting up a territory is certainly something she can do. I hope to follow her in a year, when my own training is complete, to find some new 'territory' I can exclusively call my own, and to start a new life.

The hope is that the band will tell me her fate if she is ever trapped again, or later, upon her death. She is now permanently marked as Band #1207-85575. I hope if word ever does come, it is many years from now, and maybe many miles away. My best wishes will go with her!

End of a Season

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

Happy Easter Everyone!! Now if only SPRING would show up!!

This morning I needed to get outside into the clear air, to cleanse my lungs and my mind. I was actually surprised to find Nina at a good flying weight. I've been over-feeding her of late. During my vacation, and the last two times I tried to fly her, we were not successful. I flew her for my relatives in Hobbs, NM, and there were so many bunnies it was not funny, but the wind was so strong . . . Nina could hardly hold onto the tree she was in. That was kindof funny! Without that wind she would have nailed a NM cottontail, I'm pretty certain. I then flew here in Illinois with my friend Darla, in a cemetary of all places, at the very end of my vacation last Sunday, but there we only flushed one bunny, and she missed. I really didn't want to end the season with misses.

With her weight today, and her aggressive disposition when I met her in her mews, I decided I'd accomplish my mind-cleansing walk with the hawk. Liz came with me. We went to the field where I have caught a bunny on one occassion, and a squirrel on another. There is a very significant cattail bed, and with the warming over the last few days, I thought maybe some of that snow had melted down some. It had, though still a lot of it, and water in some places underneath. Either way, we worked the beds. I wasn't seeing any bunny sign at all. Nina was following fairly well, though not tight to me. I had also decided to not put telemetry on her. It is not that I want her to fly off with all her gear, but I'm risking that happening more this late in the season, and with her not being at a true hunt weight. Either way, just about the time we were about to give up and take her to another location, I saw a little movement out of the corner of my eye. Nina was on the wing double-quick, she flew over the cattails, did a wing-over, CRASH . . . and bunny #15 was caught. I went to her and pulled her out into the open, dispatched bunny, and then decided for this final one to not trade her off, but let her crop herself up. I did however separate the head and back side, and let her have the upper legs and chest. She gorged. We took pictures.

I'm going to now officially end my 2007/2008 hawking season. In about two weeks I'm going to coordinate to get her a permanent leg band, and then release her. Until that time, she will be getting many good, large and regular meals to build up her reserves. I hope the snow melts so I can release her with open ground cover.

I'm happy to have ended on a positive note. 15 bunnies. 5 squirrels. 20 head of game. Not great, but not too horrible either. This will be the last bunny I catch with a hawk for some unknown amount of time. At least a year. My school will demand all my attention over the next year. After that, it is all a question of where I find work, and where I move and settle.

Life can sometimes be confusing. Sometimes very disappointing. Many times, very lonely, and frustrating. Today I flew for the final time a wonderful hunting companion. I'm going to miss her! I also had the company of a great house-mate, who I appreciate more and more as time goes by. Afterwards we cleaned up and went out for an Easter lunch.

P.S. The bunny was male . . . . so good thing he'd already done his rounds before his meeting with my hawk!

Ancestors

While in Hobbs I had my aunt and my uncle bring me by the cemetary where my maternal grandfather and grandmother are buried. My sister's ashes are also now interred here over the grave of my grandmother. My aunt and my uncle have plots purchased, and will be laid to rest here when the time comes. A cousin of the family, who I knew well growing up, is also buried here. Most likely my parents will be buried in El Paso, at the Ft. Bliss cemetary. Just a little morose side post. Grass does not grow here well. But these are my roots.

Miscellaneous Pictures

While traveling out of New Mexico and into Texas I noticed a very large gathering of birds in the sky. As we drove we came under the "kettle". It was a very large flock of black vultures. Because of their numbers, it appears this was a group migrating north. Cool!

After leaving Albuquerque and before arriving to Hobbs Darla and I stopped in Roswell, NM. She wanted to see the museum, so we stopped for a bit. I've already heard and read most of this stuff. I found the lamp posts cute! Roswell is a pretty large place!

Texas is on Fire!!!!

On our second day of journeying home, Darla and I got lost in some kind of time warp in Texas. It's a terribly large state! This I know! But we were also delayed because Texas is on fire . . . . and we got rerouted. I did take some pictures, which I'll post, but here is a quick little film I also took on the route out. As you can see . . . . a very large fire!

Hawking New Mexico ~ BUST!!!!

The main purpose, or focus, of my trip to New Mexico was that I wanted to show my hawk jackrabbits before I let her go. I realized that the likelihood of my success on them was slim, but I wanted to try. Sharon was the perfect hawking host, taking us to the best fields, and on our final day setting up the most perfect possibilities for success. However, Nina was hesitant to engage.
We hawked all three of the days that I was in Albuquerque. On Tuesday Sharon had to work, but had a two hour lunch, so came home and we went out with her newest bird, a Harris Hawk that she has named Oscar. I've not had much exposure to these parabuteos, but I think this will be the next hawk I aim to get once my life has settled down, and if I settle someplace where it is warmer. This little guy is recent acquisition, and she's not sure yet if she'll keep him. He is missing his two middle talons due to frostbite, an injury acquired with his former owner. Because of this capturing prey can be difficult for him. She has yet to catch anything with him, but he also came to her only recently, and the season is pretty much over in New Mexico. He makes lots of weird growly noises. His flights are pretty, and a delight to see as we moved through the desert brush.

Nina suffered from environmental disassociation. She just did not understand what happened to the snow, and all the trees. It wasn't until the third day that she really got serious about trying for game. On the first day of our arrival, she just took a perch on nearby houses, and looked around. On the second day, right out of the box, she did dive at the bushes where we spooked a couple of jacks, but then landed on the ground and did not chase. I was able to convince her to take a perch on a powerpole, and from here she did make an attempt at most likely a cottontail, but she raked away at the last moment. I think she did not know what to think about the dry crunchy prickly vegetation. I tried flying her off the fist, but have never done this kind of hawking. She would take off, fly a short distance, then just land on the ground, looking around. On the second day she tried to land on a building, instead going for an awning, and then sliding down the edge. She then hung there like a giant moth. Silly bird! I did a pretty good job of freaking her out.

By day three Sharon presented her with the best possible chance for jacks. She was a heck of a lot more focused, and seems to have adapted to the area. She took a good perch on top of a building, and followed us from rooftop to rooftop as we worked the area. Several cottontails were flushed, and she tried for them. One in particular went through a fence into a parking lot, and actually I'm glad she didn't catch that one, for there was no way into the parking lot except around front, and that would have made for a very long walk around. When calling her back from that slip she flew THROUGH the fence, hitting her wings on the bars. I don't know what she was thinking! But I'm glad she did not hurt herself.

There was one lonely tree in this final field. Eventually Nina took that perch. Sharon and I then worked our way down the end of the field, and slowly herded the jacks in the field her direction. It was a perfect setup. About five jacks meandered under her tree. She did try and bounce off one of them . . . . but I think she decided these turbo bunnies were just too large to tackle. After that opportunity, we worked down the other end of the field, and in the end, did manage to herd to final jacks, who ran (slowly) right under where she was perching. She did not go for them. So, I was given the opportunity to fly jacks. I was not successful!! I had already dropped her weight, but perhaps she could have been dropped a little lower. Or, maybe she could use more confidence to try for this game prospect. Either way . . . . I got the opportunity!

On Wednesday Sharon had the day off. After flying her bird in the AM, we drove up into the mountains that overlook Albuquerque. Darla has never seen or been up mountains this large. The view was beautiful!

It was a great few days away, visiting with friends, hawking, and generally being away from my routine. I didn't want to come home!

Myself, Sharon to my left, and Darla to her left. The dog is one of the four on the property.

My Friends!

Let's Go Hawkin!!!!

We were not in the city of Albuquerque for a half hour and already we coordinated to meet up with Sharon, and fly the bird. Nina seemed a bit put off by the whole affair. After all, she had ridden in a box for three days, and slept in a strange mews the night before. And where the heck had all the snow and trees gone?? And what is all that brown prickly stuff? Mostly, she moved from house to house, and made no attempt at the cottontail I flushed twice for her, or the single jack Sharon flushed. At the time of this typing, she is out in a weathering yard, and will be taken up within an hour, and we will try again. I flew with Sharon at her lunch with her little tiercel Harris Hawk, Oscar. Nice little guy, but he didn't do much with the bunnies we flushed either. This is very late season, and the odds of success are stacked against me . . . . but I'm glad I came, and we are having a good time.

Also . . . . it is 65 degrees outside! :-D

Day Two Travel

We got off Monday morning and finished the drive out of Oklahoma. At the border of Texas, after kissing the ground of my native state, I officially invited Darla to come in, for she has never stepped foot onto the Lone Star State. I only let her in after she demonstrated that she could say "Y'all" right!

We crossed the state, and exited a couple hours later with no fanfare! At one point we did stop and get a pic (and gas) next to the old Route 66 sign, as we had been following this route the entire time. I can report that there is a whole lot of nuttin between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque!

But Darla did take lots of pictures of the 'nuttin. As well as a picture of herself, taking pictures of the 'nuttin!

What are the Odds??

Sometimes things happen in life . . . . and you have to just stop for a moment and scratch your head and think . . . . what are the odds??

In the post below I indicated how incredibly random our stopping location in Oklahoma City was. Well, while there in Damon's front yard showing off the bird, and making initial introductions, his neighbor came over, and upon seeing the bird, told us about the neighbor behind who had just finished building a facility, and was going to get into falconry. I asked him if he would be so very kind as to go over and bring him over. So he did!

Above is Blake Richardson, holding Nina. She actually is the first bird he has been able to hold. He did just recently finish building an incredibly NICE mews, and got it inspected. He will be trapping his first hawk this fall. He offered, and I accepted, and Nina too got to "couch surf" by spending the night in his mews. I'm sure she was far more comfortable in there than in her travel box!

Oklahoma has a population of about 3.5 million. There are about 60 licensed falconers there. How the heck did I manage to randomly meet someone who represents such a small percentage of the population??

Good Luck Blake! Drop me an e-mail sometime soon, for I failed to take that from you. I'd like to hear how your progress goes. I'm sure you'll do fine!

~Ladyhawker~

ladyhawker65@yahoo.com

Couch Surfing

I had previously scheduled to stop in Oklahoma City. New Mexico, our final destination, is just too far away for one day's trip, unless you are some kind of massochist! I had toyed with the idea of camping, but then decided it may still be too cool for that. I was about to resign myself to purchasing a hotel room, when I remembered I had signed up for Couch Surfing! A quick search, and I found a couple that lived in Oklahoma City that were very highly vouched for. I contacted them, and they were willing to have Darla and I as guests in their home.
Damon and Ashley allowed us the opportunity to have a very excellent first Couch Surfing experience. Their home is very comfortable, and they are warm and interesting people! Damon particularly liked meeting Nina! I was happy to share that experience with them both.

We went out for meal, though not quite where they had wanted to take us. But most important, we made some new friends, and had a very good rest before we headed out on the road again the next day!

We're Off!

After Lady Hawkers I traveled to the home of my friend Darla. Once I had decided that I would make this trip I invited my sister to come with me. However, due to time constraints and family commitments, she was unable to make it. I then asked Darla if she'd like to take a vacation. Apparently I was an "answer to prayer". She has wanted to get out and away for awhile. She was happy to come with me, and help me with the driving. I slept Saturday night at her home, and on Sunday morning, minus one hour due to the time change, we got out on the road at about 7:00 AM.
We were not on the road for much more than 10 minutes and we had to make our first stop. Down the road from where she lives someone has an interesting collection displayed in their field. It is a long line of toy horses. So, we had to stop and take a picture, just because!

The next 12 hours were spent driving through Illinois, through St. Louis (quick, take a pic of the Arch for we are not stopping!!) then across Missouri, into Oklahoma, to Oklahoma City. I was happy for Darla's company, and help with driving! (She knows waaaaaaaaay too many songs from musicals for her own good!)

Great Horned Owl

This posting is specifically for my friend, Mike (the Plant Doctor).

Hey Mike! This is a Great Horned Owl! The Internet says average height is 18 to 26 inches. Now, I don't remember very well exactly how big you thought they were (as I recall I'd had a bit of a stout drink while we were discussing owls), but here is a picture. Yes, very nice, very large, very dangerous owls.

This one is an education bird at SOAR. He's a male, so not as big as they can get (the females are always bigger in the raptor world). Still, though, not as huge as I think you thought they were.

:-)

Lady Hawkers 2008

I got on the road on Saturday morning at about 5:30 AM. I took a quick stop at the store to pick up a few items, and the ATM in Tomah for cash. I then drove the approximate four hours to arrive in Earlville for the Lady Hawker's meet. I was surprised to find I was the only one who brought a bird to fly. Most of the others had either flown their bird the day before, or for different reasons, did not bring their birds. Well . . . . more to help fly mine!

We got off around 11:00 or so for a hunt. Bernie took us to a new field. Within the first five minutes Nina was on bunny #14. We then spent about the next 45 minutes or so trying to convince her to re-engage. Several more bunnies were flushed, but I think Nina was just a little put off by the large group that was in the field. She had at least one slip that she tried for, but missed. There were several others, but she started moving too far away from me. I decided to call her down rather than risk her flying too far away. After getting her back on the fist, some of the ladies noticed a bunny had stopped ahead of them in some very short grass. They asked me if I'd like to try flying her again, but I declined. They then playfully begged if they could still flush the bunny. I turned Nina away from seeing the action, and indicated for them to do so. We are just as bad at wanting to flush bunnies, as our birds are at chasing. When they had done that, they couldn't restrain themselves either, and gave the game cry. Nina just ignored them!

We went back to the facility, SOAR, hosted by Bernie and George Richter. It was an afternoon of socializing and food. I truly enjoy the friendships of fellow falconers!

Spring Break Road Trip

It is Friday evening, March 7, 2008. I just got home from work a little while ago. I'm going to lay down for a few hours, then get up and finish packing and get on the road. My first destination is Earlville, IL for the Lady Hawkers Meet. I'll be catching up with some of the same people I've gathered with several years in a row now to fly our birds, and enjoy each other's company. Saturday evening I'll go to stay at my friend Darla's house. On Sunday morning we will get onto the road headed eventually to New Mexico. I'm taking Nina South to find jack rabbits.

I hope we are lucky!

I'm also looking forward to the warmer weather. It's about -1 out there right now. Supposed to be up into the 60s in New Mexico this next week! I can handle that!!

I'll try to hitch the warmth up and bring it back with me!

Off to bed now!

Squirrels to Chase, But None to Catch . . . and Travel Plans

I took Nina on Friday to Wisconsin Rapids to visit our falconry vet of choice, Dr. Dean Rasmussen. I needed a health certificate, as I'll be traveling with my bird. Some states require it to enter with a bird from another state. So, I have that little piece of necessary paperwork, just in case. Otherwise, he said she looks fine. Didn't even have any parasites.

Spring is in the air! She is becoming increasingly difficult to handle. She's always been a handful. This last week she has managed to catch me twice for some good punctures and scratches, and Liz once. I also didn't get to fly her on Friday when I should have. She's had an abundance of attitude.

This is all good, for I'm going to take her down to New Mexico on spring break, and try for jack rabbits. I have one more week of school before I can get out of here for a little while. My plans changed, and now my bud Darla is going to be my travel companion. I think we will have a good time! I'll be taking pictures, and posting them all here. This will be the last major fling with my bird. When we get back I'm going to feed her up to build up a fat reserve, coupled with some tethered exercises. I anticipate by the beginning of April to let her go. I will miss her, as her departure will signal one more ending. But I will also be happy to give her what she wants. Her freedom.

Today we did get out to that little park here in town that we visited a couple weeks ago. We had quite a number of squirrel flights. I'd say there were at least 7 to 10. I didn't keep count. But the squirrels all got the better of her today. She got some good flying in, and I got my exercise. The temperatures rose into the high 40s today. Things are getting slushy. Right now, this evening, as I type, we are supposed to be getting some more snow. But it is still above freezing, and it is now just a matter of time.

The bird clock is chirping. Midnight. I need to get to bed. Another week of classes and work. Already, half way through the semester. The time has been going rather quick. Which is a good thing. Sometimes, I still struggle with terribly complex emotions. I feel rather alone a lot. I feel isolated. I feel like I'm serving some kind of sentence. There are times, when my mood is more optimistic. True happiness, however, eludes me.

Soon, I'll not have any falconry to write about. But I want to continue to keep this journal. I'll try to keep it interesting.

OK . . . . to bed with me!

Oh . . . and special side note . . . . a very Happy Birthday to my friend Joe. I don't know if you'll see this here. I don't know if you visit. Irregardless . . . . hugs to you!