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!