Raptor Blog

Shot O the Day

2012-02-09T15:29:00.012-07:00

Sibley missed 'em once again, out of position when a little flock of Hungarian Partridges were flushed by the dogs (Peanut the Golden Retriever, to be exact.) Here she soaked in the sun and checked out her surroundings before a nice flight in the Bitterroot Valley. When I see such a beautiful backdrop, I am reminded of a line from my favorite (Top 1o) movie, "Rancho Deluxe." Cora overlooks the white Rocky Mountain peaks by Livingstone from her trophy home and asks her husband, "Darlin', are you ever sorry we got out of the beauty parlor business? Gee, I miss Schenectady sometimes." Rent that movie today! One of the reasons I moved to Montana in a funny way.

My Hero, Bill Harley

2012-01-30T15:46:00.010-07:00

Singer, songwriter, author, artist Bill Harley filled the University Theater for a show yesterday. The packed house was about half kids, all enthralled for two hours and nearly 900 voices singing along. Today, the luckiest students on earth were at Bonner School enjoying two assemblies plus workshops all day, thanks to an arrangement from principal Mrs. Parks. Living in Massachusetts, Bill Harley has been a Missoula favorite for more than 20 years, with heavy airplay on Montana Public Radio's children's programming and a Grammy winning recording here in 2007. He told me he has visited over 2500 schools across the U.S. and yes, he is my hero. Here he is the Skunk Chief of Police telling Charlene the Skunk in the Middle that she has to set the table. The entire school was singing, "you're not the boss of me" in the cafeteria line afterwards. My sister Betsy was cracking up next to me in the bleachers, because she used to say that all the time as a kid. Check out his web site. We Love Bill!

Letter from A Friend

2012-01-25T16:53:00.005-07:00

The Bald Eagle book is done (!), so it was time to clean up the desk and office. I came across this classic letter from a young student at Lowell School in Missoula after an assembly last year. Translation: "I saw a Golden Eagle pooping. Nigel was shot." An observant young man, and something he will never forget, I'm sure. Along with the eagle portrait, I especially like the depiction of my reaction, artistically rendered with just a few simple lines. I doubt I was frowning, though, and instead bet I was trying to direct the attention of the entire audience to the clock or basketball hoop when I saw what Nigel was about to do. You never know what will happen, so that's kept it fun for 24 years!

Stuck!

2012-01-20T08:13:00.007-07:00

The last few days of snow have been heaven for skiers, and it's just a matter of getting up there for some of us. We are stuck in our collective driveways around here, the powder turning to heavy mush after light rain all day. At least we have enough pet food, bird food and human food. And a great excuse to finish up the eagle book, almost there! That's the penguin sculpture under all that snow. Later I'll take a walk up to the Post Office to mail my annual permit reports. And pick up a movie.

UPDATE at 4 pm: Book is finished! And plowed out, thanks to our pal Bob Tabke, with Tyler on the tractor! Life is so good.

Current Conditions Across the Country

2012-01-18T15:46:00.006-07:00

Well, across the west at least, and 8 inches of snow since this morning with no break in sight. Chesty the Harris's Hawk didn't seem to mind at first, then went back to her building to wait for some nice mice and part of a quail. Heated by the wood stove. Spoiled? Unbelievably, all the hype and predictions are coming true, and a great excuse to finsh the new book and veg out to some neglected Netflixes. "Missouri Breaks," anyone?

Saturday's Flight

2012-01-15T09:21:00.004-07:00

Taking a break from writing, Sibley and the dogs had a fun half hour of exercise at the MPG Ranch. Here she is signaling me that it's time to put the camera away and get the food on the glove. I shoot a Nikon D700 and switch lenses, using a 80-400 mm zoom when traipsing about with a bird in the sky.

Go Hellgate Hawks!

2012-01-12T09:02:00.004-07:00

Want to see what 480 kids, kindergarten, first and second graders looks like? These are the students at Hellgate Elementary School on the west side of Missoula yesterday afternoon. Principal Candy Johnson was a wonderful host, and the four birds including Max the Golden Eagle were "awesome!" Looking back in the records, our first program at Hellgate was in 1989, a generation ago and Candy was the principal. I think the school has at least doubled in student numbers, though, and all on their best behaviors for the birds. I'll print them a nice portrait of Alisa, the Hellgate Hawk, for the office.

Peregrine Fund Calendar

2012-01-10T18:42:00.004-07:00

Yep. 10,000 copies printed and we are the selection for March, so for 31 days everyone will enjoy our Bald Eagle nest in Montana. Rob and Nick and I cover half the year, then cool shots of Swainson's Hawks and Harpy Eagles and WOW! We love the Peregrine Fund, and check out their web site, consider a visit to the Mecca in Boise, The World Center for Birds of Prey, and their new American Kestrel Project headed by Matt Giovanni.

Bald Eagle Book

2012-01-05T18:14:00.006-07:00

The deadline is approaching to finish, and happily writing captions for the new book on the Bald Eagle nest that was captured in photographs starting April 30th of 2011. 135 images installed and I like to call these sub-titles, being a film buff. Here's Number two: The stick nest in the Ponderosa Pine has been added to every year since it was first built in 2001. To the south and down a steep bank lies the Clark Fork River; the north side is a railroad grade and track, four lanes of interstate highway, and a housing development. Even with all of the hustle and bustle, this nest is a local secret of sorts.

Happy Birthday, Bill!

2012-01-03T19:59:00.006-07:00

Our favorite artist celebrated his birthday yesterday, and we were thrilled to be included in the celebration. Bill Ohrmann and wife Phyllis of Drummond hosted a spontaneous get-together at his Gallery and Museum, the finest spot to view welded steel sculptures of animals, oil paintings of his controversial views of the west, and wood carvings. If you haven't stopped by his "Usually Open" mecca, you must! Bill turned a 93 years young on Monday, and here he holds a raccoon I made for him after he taught me to weld, a heart recently installed in the center. Bill places hearts in every one of his sculptures, and make sure you climb up the step to see the one in the metal 12 foot running wooly mammoth, the most amazing piece of art in the world. And give him a little hug!

Thanks, Pals!

2011-12-31T17:43:00.007-07:00

Not really knowing how this Facebook stuff works, I was happily surprised to find about 40 messages yesterday for my birthday wishing me a great time, which it was. Thanks, pals! Any day at SnowBowl is better than one in Reserve Street traffic and thanks to all of you! I actually convinced a kid that I was just turning 35, but I think he just went along with me to be kind. Last day of the year and this photo of a Rough-legged Hawk while flying Sibley in the Bitterroot with Mookie the Black Lab, who has turned out to be a genius. Or at least smart... And for Raptors of the Rockies programs in 2011 - 72 total for 5466 children and adults, beating numbers for the last eight years! Thanks again for the support and faith in our little education outfit.

Shot of the day...

2011-12-27T17:39:00.006-07:00

..and maybe the year. This Golden Eagle was perched on a rural road here in Florence, and I learned the hard way that I should always have my camera and 500 mm lens perched on the seat next to me. I had just gotten some killer shots of Sibley flying around with the snowy mountains on the background and was on my way home when I noticed this bird at a distance. I sometimes feel like a paparazzi, "shooting" the glamorous and fashionable residents of the Bitterroot Valley, and this guy cooperated; a classy character, for sure.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:47:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year from all of us at Raptors of the Rockies!

Annual Christmas Show on the Radio

2011-12-22T08:49:00.006-07:00

We will be guests on Montana Public Radio this afternoon, children's programming with Pea Green Boat and host Annie Garde at 4 pm. That's Mountain Standard Time but anyone in the world can listen on the KUFM web site LIVE! Today Sibley the Peregrine will join us, bells and all, and this photo from yesterday flying in the snow. Another bird will join us, to be decided and whoever volunteers. But the big (or small, really) guest will be the debut program for the new Northern Saw-whet Owl, Maya. She is named for a young friend, and Maya the girl will also be on the air. Check it out!

Captions Galore

2011-12-19T18:36:00.005-07:00

Bald Eagles on the brain, and writing the 120-plus captions for the new book now. It starts with an introduction, "Bald Eagles get a bad rap. For many, they are icons and symbols, the American Eagle with all of mythology attached. But as Arthur Bent points out in his 1937 Life Histories volume, they may be attractive birds but are hardly worthy of their lofty place as the national emblem. He points out their cowardly and lazy habits, diet of carrion, and theft of fish from Ospreys, traits that “certainly do not exemplify the best in American behavior.” But undeserved as we find out.

In the meantime, this pair of birds across the river at the MPG Ranch have designs of their own, already thinking about the next breeding season in a photo from yesterday.

What? Another Bald Eagle?

2011-12-15T23:28:00.005-07:00

Yes, another Bald Eagle, and this one near Twin Bridges on Tuesday observed while on a falconry trip with Jay and our pal Steve Gilbert. Eagles from interior Canada and Alaska migrate south and this is as far as many of them make it, while "our" birds tend to stay put. That's why we see so many Bald Eagles here in the winter. Jay and I had a big circuit with the Peregrines, hitting new sloughs and all unfamiliar ground for me. Man, this is a big state!

Bitterroot Red-tail

2011-12-10T17:21:00.009-07:00

Just back from a book signing for Raptors of the West in Hamilton at Chapter One Books and what fun, thanks to Shawn and the throngs of bird-lovers. Alisa the Red-tail was an angel, and when home, she enjoyed a bunch of mice nicely heated by the wood stove. On the way back I got this shot of a wild Red-tail, Bitterroot Mountains in the background at Metcalf Refuge. If you are by your radio tomorrow, check out the re-broadcast of our interview with Edward O'Brien about the new book and award, 11 am. Thanks to Montana Public Radio for the coverage. Oh, and Nikon and Subaru and Napoleon Stoves and Mountain Press Publishing - enough product endorsement? HA!

Today's Photo

2011-12-07T18:12:00.006-07:00

Gotta love a Red-tail! this must have looked nuts, a big lens pointed out the window driving on this rural dirt road and waiting for the action. Like my pals Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop tell me, "Always have your camera, and good lens." And perhaps be careful shooting photographs near houses as the inhabitants might mistake you for a private investigator.

What a Day

2011-12-06T09:12:00.002-07:00

Our interview on Montana Public Radio was a hoot, and listen here. Edward O'Brien did a fantastic job of editing my long-winded description of the new Raptors of the West book that just won the National Outdoor Book Award. Plus, I got this photo in the back yard while waiting for the broadcast.

Grouse Escape Route

2011-12-05T09:09:00.006-07:00

After a big book signing downtown on Friday night, I packed the Subaru with falconry gear, met Jay Sumner and headed to Choteau for two days of bird hunting. Guests of Skip Tubbs, we joined a great group of gun hunters similarly chasing the pheasants in the frigid cold on Skip's ranch. On Saturday, Jay's bird nearly caught this Sharp-tailed Grouse, and what a flight. These birds apparently barrel roll as an escape tactic, and it worked here. On another note, catch the interview about the new book with Edward O'Brien on Montana Public Radio tonight, the 5:30 news. After I went on and on, 25 minutes later for a 10 minute spot, Ed commented that he was a bit surprised I could be brief for 430 book captions. HA! Hope I didn't say anything too stupid, but we will all see.

In Living Color

2011-12-02T15:24:00.003-07:00

Read the new Raptor Round-Up Newsletter, in color on the web site, and thanks Steve Palmer! Round-Up #39.

New Saw-whet

2011-11-26T12:21:00.004-07:00

Our new Northern Saw-whet Owl came from Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, discovered by the side of a hiking trail, unable to fly. Refuge personnel delivered her to rehabilitator Judy Hoy of Stevensville and and her examination revealed a wing break in the deep tissue of the shoulder and non-releasable. So the permit amendment came through from the Federal Fish and Wildlife service, and voila: now a Raptor of the Rockies. Buster the Saw-whet lived to be twelve years old, not a world record but close. He was always a program favorite, dazzling tens of thousands of people over the years. This one is also very calm and loves her little mice. We thought of another well-behaved little girl, and named her Maya, after our ten-year-old friend Maya Heffernan. She has been pal since she was a little nestling, like her brothers Sam and Paul, and Paul has fledged and is off in college.

Mookie Learns a Lesson

2011-11-21T23:32:00.010-07:00

Our new Black Lab Mookie has been an angel mostly, except for a few chewed TV remote controls. Oh, and a boot lace or two. But always an epiphany and today she learned not to take a partridge away from the Queen Bee, Sibley. Sib was also the hero at U of M for the Montana Wildlife Class tonight, guest of professor Dr. Joel Berger. We played the PowerPoint from our appearance in Boston and with the new Bald Eagle book images at the end, and even had the students hoot like an owl for a finale. I was delighted to see every attendee participate, at threat of failing the class (just kidding). We love Joel and wish him luck on his next arctic and Mongolian adventure.

Another Day in the Field

2011-11-20T18:54:00.004-07:00

Sibley the Peregrine has had some great flights lately, after ducks and pheasants in the Bitterroot, and a shot from yesterday at the MPG Ranch. More news from the award -"The National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) is the outdoor world's largest and most prestigious book award program. It is a non-profit, educational program, sponsored by the NOBA Foundation, Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, and Idaho State University. The purpose of the Awards is to recognize and encourage outstanding writing and publishing. Each fall in early November, the NOBA Foundation announces the winners of the nine categories making up the program, including History, Literature, Children, Nature, Instructional, Adventure Guidebook, Nature Guidebook, Design, and Outdoor Classic." We are so happy to have been chosen, and hope for big press on the way!

WE WIN!

2011-11-18T08:48:00.006-07:00

Our Raptors of the West just won the National Outdoor Book Award! Announcements were made yesterday, and our book took the honors for Design and Artistic Merit, and the judges wrote, "This is a book of action photography and it will rock your socks!" It's like winning an Oscar, minus the statue. I replied to the chairman, "It was way too much fun putting that book together, and the whole time I had jazz on the stereo and my Peregrine Falcon, Sibley, perched nearby. I always looked to her for inspiration when stuck for a caption idea!" Check the web site: NOBA and they finish with:

Quite simply, it’s among some of the best action bird photography ever published.

Coyote Choir Kids

2011-11-16T23:47:00.007-07:00

Here was Tuesday night, thanks to an invitation from Amy Martin, ringmaster for the talents of the Coyote Choir, the singing group of kids from the Missoula area and recording stars. We met at the Missoula Children's Theatre with Jillian the Great Horned Owl to explore ideas about partnering for a musical project, and creative juices were flowing. When asked what I envisioned, I told them it would be an appearance on Lenno or Letterman, and they had no idea what I was talking about. These guys don't watch TV! Jillian and I were treated to a wonderful performance of their original song "What Kind of Animal Are You?" that included echidnas sticking out their tongues. Look that one up in your field guide to Australian monotremes...

Christmas Open House at the Ohrmann's

2011-11-15T10:10:00.003-07:00

Join Bill, Phyll, and John at the fabulous Ohrmann Museum and Gallery and see the new paintings and sculptures by our best pal Bill. Days are this Saturday and Sunday, November 19th and 20th from 11 am until 5 pm. They are the "Usually Open" Gallery 2 1/2 miles south of Drummond on Highway 1, the only farm house with a 10 foot stainless steel polar bear and this giant wooly mammoth out front. We wouldn't miss it for the world!

Eagles Again

2011-11-12T22:53:00.003-07:00

The big day of 11/11/11 and I spaced out bringing my tripod to go photograph the Bald Eagles with the new 500 mm lens. Nope, nothing in the car and accidentally left it at home, bummer. So I fashioned a tripod out of a forked stick found on the beach, just like the folks on Gilligan's Island or maybe the Flintstones would do. Right away I found both adults lounging, one in a cottonwood and the other I spotted way up river in a Ponderosa Pine. About one hundred images later, Bald Eagle behavior captured, I promised that next time I won't forget that essential piece of gear. Kind of shaky, shooting with a stick in the sand and all that glass!

Gallery Wrap Art

2011-11-09T08:23:00.003-07:00

An attorney in Denver that is a prominent conservationist and falconer has a great collection of falcon artwork and photos in his office. He has images from book partners Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop, and now Kate Davis. Gale Johnson at Custom Digital Imaging created a stunning 60 inch gallery wrap of this Peregrine Falcon Stoop which we sent off, and can only imagine how it looks surrounded by other falcons. This unique piece can be yours, here three are side by side, and I know I am ordering one for our "falcon shrine" in our house. Contact me if you are interested, and would make a great gift for the bird (or speed) enthusiast in your family!

"Stained Glass" Eagle

2011-11-06T16:58:00.004-07:00

Today's shot of one of the adult Bald Eagles on the beach, and a keeper for the new book. Our friend Carmen Bassin commented that it looked like an image in stained glass. We had our first snow yesterday and some of it lingered, causing skiers to rub their hands with glee awaiting the big winter. A reminder that early price season passes at Snowbowl are due..oops..today! See you at the Bowl and another epic year, guaranteed.

Owls Are the Stars for National Geographic

2011-11-03T09:48:00.005-06:00

We hosted a film crew for the last two days, including one night, and the owls were the stars for an educational project for kids. Experts from Grizzly Creek Films that produce a series for Nat Geo Wild television made the trip from Bozeman, and software techs from Microsoft in Seattle descended on the Raptor Ranch with gear galore. They are creating a curriculum for kids that explains the lives of owls, and they met our teaching team on Tuesday. Nighttime supermodels were Jillian the Great Horned and Degas the Long-eared Owls, filmed in the forest with infrared lights and cameras in complete darkness aside from the moderate moonlight. Then iPod the Pygmy-owl, Jillian and Degas calmly posed for more segments yesterday. Series and project host is Casey Anderson, The Bear Guy, who is fantastic and a natural for the show. And I know that's not an owl, it's Nigel the eagle and two hams.

Bald Eagles on the Beach

2011-10-30T19:26:00.004-06:00

I was getting some scenic shots for the new book and was treated to both the parent Bald Eagles (at least I assume it was them) hanging out on the beach and perching together. Looks like I'll be heading back with the big lens!

Peregrine Clouds

2011-10-29T14:38:00.006-06:00

A wonderful few days of flying the Peregrines and one shot of Jay Sumner's bird Sandra, stooping on a duck in the Blackfoot Valley. This reminds me of a Robert Katona painting. Speaking of fine artists, we thank our new friend John Baumlin who has generously allowed the Journal of Raptor Research to use his painting "Tiercel With Dove" for the cover of the upcoming issue. I bought this print from another pal, Skip Tubbs of Framework Designs eight years ago, and it proudly hangs in my office. And that same year Skip also sold me Sibley the Peregrine, that stands proudly in the office, on a perch, of course.

It's Official: New Book In the Works

2011-10-25T17:04:00.010-06:00

Stackpole Books in Pennsylvania and I have a contract for a new book on the Bald Eagle Family of Western Montana. I'll have 100-plus photos of the nest, neighborhood resident animals, parent eagles and the four babies growing up and fledging. I have laid out the project using InDesign, as I did with the last book but with a different trim size, and captions on the way. After a little introduction, we'll launch into the saga of the polite young, taking turns to be fed everything from pigeons and goslings to squirrels and of course, deer. That story went worldwide on the internet when one of the adults dropped an eviscerated fawn on powerlines and shorted out electricity to East Missoula in June; "Deer With Wings," claimed dozens of stories, but just our diligent parents. NorthWestern Energy lineman Ryan Gibbs has supplied a great photo and tale for that part! Then the post-fledging stories and lots of flying eagle shots, with my favorites being the attacks by mobbing Bullock's Orioles. I love having this undertaking to work on, in between educational programs, Peregrine hunts, and (soon enough) skiing at the 'Bowl.

Finally a Merlin

2011-10-23T09:11:00.008-06:00

One bird I had set in my sights, or camera to be exact, is the Northern Pygmy-Owl, ever since I missed photographing one at the MPG Ranch across the road because all I had was a wide angle lens. One photo did end up in the new book, but never have gotten any close shots. My luck continued yesterday when one ended up in the MPG mist net at the banding station, after an entangled nuthatch that must have looked irresistible. I showed up ten minutes after he was photographed by the crew and released, oh well. He'll still be up there somewhere and I'll try to whistle him in. The other species I am after this fall is the Merlin, and scored on the way home when this bird was plucking a bird on a fence post. This magpie was after the the prize, which looked like the remains of a bluebird. The little falcon outmaneuvered the kleptoparasite and finished the meal on a power pole farther down the road. Identification by our Merlin expert friend Bruce Haak: female Richardson's (Prairie.)

Mookie

2011-10-18T20:05:00.006-06:00

We are ecstatic to have this dog join us, a nine month old Black Lab that is now in our family thanks to our friends in Hamilton, the Frederick's. Mookie has passed all the tests: from birds on perches, cats in the house, falcon in the car, buckets of meat thawing in the house, everything that would drive a bird dog nuts. But not this one, even "hunting 'em up" with Peanut our eight year old Golden Retriever that survived the passing of her brother Rudy a month ago. Our first experience with a Labrador, and love this one dearly!

Fall (and This Hawk) Is In the Air

2011-10-17T16:58:00.008-06:00

The ritual of fall cleaning, draining and winding hoses and taking down shade cloth was underway, a welcome change of seasons at the Raptor Ranch. The little trees that provided shade in the American Kestrel (formally known as Sparrow Hawk) and Pygmy-Owl building are now planted in the ground, and even an installment of poured concrete in the corner of the big owl enclosure to keep out marauding skunks. Or try to anyway, as they are everywhere now. The Harris's Hawks, formally named Bay-winged Hawks, will have their heated perches plugged in when the cold finally does hit, but enjoying the weather and colors so far. I even spotted a Merlin in the yard today, formally called a Pigeon Hawk, standing by her namesake of our pigeon loft. Formally called Rock Doves now called Rock Pigeons, and none were injured in the making of this blog.

On Stage with the Chickadee Symphony

2011-10-14T08:32:00.007-06:00

Last night I joined Erick Greene, conductor James Smart, and 50 members of the U of M Symphonic Wind Ensemble for a concert in the University Theater. Dr. Craig Naylor is a "biologist-turned-composer" who created a remarkable piece called the "Chickadee Symphony" based on the vocalizations of the little songbirds and subjects of a study we did that was published in Science in 2005. Erick showed the sonograms and photos in a Powerpoint and the musicians played the chickadee parts. We joined him with Jillian the Great Horned Owl and iPod the Pygmy (to a theater of "ahhhs!") and a little discussion of these mighty predators and Danger! The symphony in four parts begins with the Dawn Chorus and finishes with the jazzy Chickadee Dance, the music mimicking life in a flock of chickadees in the forest. What a treat, and I never thought I'd be standing on the same stage where I saw Pearl Jam play 25 years ago, with raptors and music. (Thanks Chris Havel for the photo, daughter on the clarinet!)

Back From Duluth

2011-10-10T18:12:00.009-06:00

A late night return from the Raptor Research Foundation Conference in Duluth, and the first time I've ventured to Hawk Ridge Observatory above the shores of beautiful Lake Superior. 235 raptorphiles gathered for workshops, papers and presentations starting Wednesday, with new and old contacts - one board member joked about the "geezering" of participants. But this time dozens of new students and early career researchers were in attendance, refreshing to see! Hawk Ridge is famous for huge migration flights of raptors, an average of 94,000 a year and we were not disappointed: eagles, hawks, falcons, and Ospreys with an added plus of a little surge of 30,000 American Robins yesterday morning. Hey, raptors have to eat something...Here, a youngster releases a banded Sharp-shinned Hawk that her parents have adopted, a perfect fundraiser for this non-profit. Applause to the Hawk Ridge volunteers and especially Julie O'Conner for putting this special event together, and Erik Bruhnke who entertains everyone with his astute observations of fly-by's and perfect demonstrations of how we can all tell the species apart. My favorite is his dead-on imitation of a Northern Harrier. You RULE!

More Birds in the Bitterroot

2011-10-03T19:30:00.003-06:00

Just a few shots from today taken during a little tour of the Bitterroot and a falconry trip, a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Blue Heron. We are so fortunate to have birds to "shoot" so always have your camera ready. Great news is we will have a new book out about the Bald Eagle nest that fledged four young, publisher lined up. Terrible news is that one of the young females was struck on the highway and died last week after extensive rehab and pins to her broken leg. The FWP Center in Helena and Lisa Rhodin had been caring for her, lovingly called "Snapper," and complications from the surgery caused her to suddenly pass. Rehab is tough, and that's why we leave it to the experts.

Sula With Steve

2011-10-01T21:24:00.007-06:00

Today about 20 Audubonners had a splendid day in the Bitterroots on top of Sula Peak waiting for the hawks to fly in migration with our state director Steve Hoffman in tow. I say waiting because not many raptors showed up, despite great predictions according to wind and weather. But I guarantee not one person left with a complaint as we had a ball! Kate Stone organized this field trip and Steve installed this plastic owl decoy to attract birds, the photo as a big storm crossed the valley. This is the same place I took the shot that I used for the poster for the 2010 Bird Fest, if it looks familiar. Dick Hutto was telling me when to hit the shutter for lightning, me looking through the viewfinder, but missed them all. With two Kate's running the show today, it was a bit confusing shouting observations, but apparently I am Big Kate, assuming it was meant by by age. HA!

Sonny the Eagle

2011-09-28T09:59:00.012-06:00

Just approved for our Eagle Exhibition permit, Sonny the Bald Eagle is officially on the teaching team. Retrieved by our friend Rob Domenech in June, the bird was standing on a riverbank at Quinn's Hot Springs for a few days. Rob actually fished him out of the river with a net when he bailed, to discover a starving bird, missing a wing tip. Like Alisa (Clancy) the Red-tail, this bird is named after a hero at KCSM Radio in San Mateo, California - Sonny Buxton. Catch his show on Saturdays and 24-hour-a-day-commercial-free jazz, streaming live on the web! Also, he is named for all of the jazz musicians by that name that you can think of like Rollins, Stitt, Clarke, but this eagle is Buxton!

Poor Rudy

2011-09-26T17:05:00.010-06:00

Our eight year old Golden Retriever will be very much missed, and we had to have him put down on Friday. Rudy was best known for his daily activities at the river behind the house, rearing out of the water and barking and catching splashes in his mouth. For hours and hours. KUFM Montana Public Radio had a picnic over here, and they all thought Rudy's stunt was cute, now please ask him to stop barking. No can do. We were told that Rudy had cancer back in May, but I was in denial and had him out hunting with the falcon two days before he died. Thanks to the kind doctors/pals Mike, Lynn and Janna at Florence Veterinary and they know what a great life this loving and eccentric dog had. I don't think he ever even slowed down or knew he was not long of this world. Rudy had a very full life of swims and hikes and hunting for which most dogs (and lots of humans) would be envious. Goodbye, friend.

The Baby Barn Owl of Burnt Fork

2011-09-21T13:45:00.003-06:00

Mistaken identity is common in the bird world. Jay and I have been told about cliffs with Peregrines only to find Prairie Falcons, a common error. Once a friend found a "baby Osprey" floating in the Clark Fork River on a canoe trip that turned out to be a pigeon. Kind of a stretch. But today was a new experience when I drove to Stevensville to see a "fluffy baby Barn Owl, sitting in my pear tree for days and days." Barn Owls a super rare around here, and I thought it might be a branching Great Horned. She told me that he had dark black eyes with a yellow beak. Well, must be a Barred Owl and worth a look. So the dogs and I took a drive, met the woman and walked to her pear tree. "Ta-da! There he is!" she pointed. A bird nest. Probably a pewee with cottonwood fluff. Now that's a first. Another reason to have an unlisted phone number.

A Day At MPG Ranch

2011-09-20T18:47:00.006-06:00

Thanks to Kate Stone and Eric "Kerr" I was invited to accompany them and trapper/bander William to the big 7000 acre MPG ranch across the river to monitor migrating raptors. After 5 hours I thought it time to leave, knowing full well that the minute I left the big flight would kick in. And 60 more birds since departing with 97 raptors total, so thank me, guys. I did get these photos of male accipiters, Cooper's Hawk on the left and Sharp-shinned Hawk on the right. They said a big kettle of Turkey Vultures passed by, plus dozens of more Sharpies and Kestrels. What a treat and I can see the site out the office window, and I'll be back!

Day 2 of the Season for Sib

2011-09-16T15:41:00.002-06:00

We missed opening day of falconry season with the trip to Boston, and now hard at it with Peregrine flights that started Monday. This photo is day two, and just look at that molt! Fortunately she has since dropped both of those crummy outer wing feathers (primary 10's) and should be clean as a whistle feather-wise in no time. Today was Sibley's best day yet, and she circled around one Horse Creek for a while, remembering that it more fun to do that than perch in a tree. Now just looking for some pheasants, if you have one to spare anywhere in Western Montana. Let me know.

Penguin Flies Home

2011-09-13T20:12:00.004-06:00

We brought my metal Penguin sculpture home today, and I promised Tom that this will be last time for a transfer. Promise. It had been at the Missoula Art Museum all summer, along with the Red-tailed Hawk which will live at Caras Nursery for a while. So glad to have the big guys at the museum load it into the pickup on a sheet of plywood, then down the ramp on the dolly and back into the yard tonight. Many expertly taken photographs with cell phones out the car windows document the penguin's drive through town and down to the Bitterroot. Notice the courthouse in the background, and a guy on a bicycle in the alley suggested that next time I make one out of aluminum. Recycling material.

Just Back From Boston

2011-09-12T13:14:00.003-06:00

Okay. I've had my proudest moment, and now can retire. Just kidding, but not about the pride factor. I just delivered the keynote for the annual Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch Meeting in Medford (pronounced Medfud) and the highlight of a lifetime. Paul Roberts invited me to speak last year and at first I thought he was kidding, but it really happened this weekend. A record number of 140 raptor lovers were in attendance, record new membership sign-ups, and even a standing ovation at the end. That was after I had everyone hoot like a Great Horned Owl. My in-laws were even there, and I spent one day with sister-in-law Ellen touring the north shore, Davis-land. I had another engagement Saturday at the Joppa Flats Education Center, and went birding with Paul's wife and daughter, Julie and Laura at the legendary Plum Island. My first time in Boston, and one thing is for certain: I'll be back, with Tom next time, if we can figure out how to take care of the dogs and cats...and birds!

Partial Albino Red-tailed Hawk Re-surfaces

2011-09-07T21:57:00.007-06:00

I kept this quiet, sorry friends, but didn't want this rare bird to be scared away by flocks of birdwatchers. The locals always knew about the "white hawk" in the southwest end of Missoula, first spotted over the winter. I brought my camera up to Snowbowl skiing several times and would stop by to get some photos on the way there and back. You could spot her a mile away if she was in the air, and perched before the leaves came in. Most of her tail has the regular coloring of an adult (at least two or three year old) but just a few flight feathers are brown. Where has she been the last few years, to just show up unannounced? No one in the neighborhood had seen her for the last 6 weeks then voila! Back on the scene and maybe she was nesting, which would explain her absence. They are looking for more white hawks, with the brown barred tail of a youngster.

Prairie Falcon Flies

2011-09-03T09:57:00.008-06:00

This Prairie Falcon completely recovered from a badly sprained left leg, and proves it in this photo. She was hacked out with the eagles. The screen on the top of their 40 foot building allows hawks to pop up and "escape" when they are flying well enough, and they release themselves. One Red-tail came back and climbed back inside two years later, standing next to the eagles waiting to be fed. The hillsides across the river behind the house are perfect habitat, and she headed that direction yesterday. So keep your eyes peeled, hawkwatchers at the MPG Ranch!

Return of the Wayward Ten Year Old

2011-09-02T07:38:00.006-06:00

Deja our Harris's Hawk flies around the property every day, 12 months a year, and sometimes stays out for a while in the summer. In 2008 she left for a couple months and returned when the ground squirrels estivated, or retreated underground in the heat. She was seen in the neighborhood and Lee Metcalf NWR. This time Deja split in May, never to be seen again anywhere in the valley. Yesterday, I was walking out the door with my camera and gloves to move a rehab Prairie Falcon from Deja's building into the flight enclosure, and lo and behold - there was the errant hawk standing on Chesty's building, shouting BLAA! Chesty had just been out flying for an hour and lucky they didn't see/kill each other. Dej flew over to the glove for a mouse and on inspection, she had an overgrown beak, one tail feather left, and her feet were filthy, but not too skinny. I cleaned her up, coped the beak and she perched here in the office while I kept an eye on the Prairie. Deja, you have some molting to do, my friend.

Caras Nursery Sculpture Show

2011-09-01T09:36:00.001-06:00

For the seventh year running, Caras Nursery on South 3rd West is hosting an outdoor sculpture exhibition, metal and stone amongst the shrubs and trees. My piece Red-tailed Hawk has been at the Missoula Art Museum for the last two months, along with the Penguin, and now is back outside. George YBarra puts together the fine collection of pieces each year, and even had Don Grazier of Ronan bring a giant BLUE Heron, wait until you see. The opening is this Saturday, and the show is up until the end of October. Thanks, Bill Caras!

RRU #38 - The Photo Issue

2011-08-25T08:33:00.005-06:00

Raptor Round-Up Newsletters were mailed out Tuesday, and check it out in color on our web site, raptorsoftherockies.org. I call it the Photo Issue, with over 50 images, mostly our big Bald Eagle nest and favorite Ospreys on the Clark Fork. It's been a busy four months with the trusty Nikon D700, and now a new (used) 500 mm lens. Can hardly wait for next years breeding season and see what we can find!

Three's a Crowd

2011-08-24T09:53:00.004-06:00

Three back at the nest Monday! Looks like the last photo with all four Bald Eagle young was on June 25th, and after that, one has stayed elusive. The most frustrating experience of my photographic life has been capturing all four at once. One would always duck down as the fourth stood up. Always. Or one was looking the other way. I must admit that out of irritation I might have shouted, "Hey, look over here!" which never worked. They have locomotives and a highway speeding by, so a puny human standing 100 yards away is nothing.

What? Bald Eagles Still Lingering!

2011-08-19T19:44:00.007-06:00

Today's visit was number 40-something to our favorite nest on the Clark Fork River, and three Bald Eagle fledglings were at the nest, begging away. One was laying down and our friend Carmen Bassin pointed out that it really is the only place they can do that, good point. Return to the sticks to "pop a squat." In the mean time they might be hunting on their own, but kind of doubtful, as both parents keep returning with all they need. We did observe one youngster crash to the ground to retrieve a pinecone, which was treasured and plucked. Not off the hook yet, photographing these birds, a month and a half after they fledged and still a joy to see them all.

Osprey Young Returns

2011-08-17T19:38:00.008-06:00

For those of you still watching the Riverside Osprey web cam, a lucky hit would be to see the family return to the nest, since the baby fledged on August 7th. I lucked out five days later when driving by the spot and saw an adult plunge to the river so pulled into the parking lot by the nest to grab this shot. This is the youngster hoping for a free meal, and the female also returned, looking up and down river, after which she split. Young Ospreys can hunt on their own after leaving the nest but must figure out that crazy light refraction of observing a fish under the water and scoring a meal. Parents will be heading back to Central or South America in the next month, with youngsters soon to follow. The babies remain in that "wintering ground" until they are old enough to breed for perhaps three years, which is atypical for any migrant, the only raptors to do this that I can think of (aside from one Hawk-eagle) and another reason to love the Ospreys!

Fifty Years Later

2011-08-14T19:34:00.007-06:00

Jay Sumner climbed down this cliff in 1961 and collected his first Peregrine Falcon fifty years ago, before all of you kids were born, and today we re-lived the experience over breakfast. Formally called the "Tasty Freeze Eyrie," Jay and John Craighead and daughter Karen hitched a rope over a tree at the top, and Jay got his first falcon for the sport that would dominate his life. Falconry is hunting wild game with a captive bird, and in this case a baby that was flown for many years. On Saturday we met with fellow falconers at our annual state picnic in Livingston, then Jay showed me a bunch of cliffs that he had been checking nearby since a teenager. We brought our binoculars into the restaurant, and were treated to the pair of Peregrines flying across the cliff, chasing swifts while we were eating breakfast. The waitress was un-astounded, but that's fine because we both were!

Big Weekend of Birds

2011-08-08T10:45:00.004-06:00

Carmen Bassin and I made the trek to Bannack State Park near Dillon on Saturday for a program with iPod, Alisa and Nigel, all heroes. We were told that it was the biggest crowd they had ever had for their Saturday speakers and we sold a box of books, yippee. Then Sunday we were joined by KUFM public radio aficionados Annie and Larry Garde for a day in the field. Starting at Riverside Health Care we spotted the just-fledged Osprey across the river on a cliff, mother near-by. Then off to the Bald Eagle nest and a treat with both adults and all four young, begging and begging. Three fledglings returned to the nest, and the male delivered a small fish that must have been swallowed in one gulp. Join us this Thursday on the Pea Green Boat MT Public Radio 4 to 5 pm and we'll talk about the nest, and other goings-on.

Clinton Gravel Pit Peregrines

2011-08-06T08:39:00.005-06:00

Yesterday Jay and were treated to some hunting forays by the Peregrines at McQuarry, otherwise known as the Clinton gravel pit. Looks like they fledged at least one young, a female that joined her father in a stoop on a swallow. Then he returned to the rocks and some shade, when the adult female appeared. She caught two swallows in ten minutes, and all in the heat of the day at 3 pm. I would never think this spot would be parked in front of this eyesore with a scope, but Jay always said, "Some day..." Maybe a mayor tourist destination for ecotours, headquarters at Poor Henry's Bar? Probably not.

Clever Little Girl

2011-08-05T11:05:00.004-06:00

Chesty the 21 year-old Harris's Hawk was smart enough to come in out of the rain during her daily flight around the Raptor Ranch today. Obviously the photographer was not so clever. Chest was hanging out in the eves of the back porch, ironic as it is a common spot for humans to take refuge when she's flying around the yard! So far four years plus, every day, an enriching cruise.

August Already?

2011-08-02T21:07:00.008-06:00

What has happened to this summer? July has come and gone, and August arrived with a rain and wind storm. Seems like everything is about a month off. This is yesterday's photo of one of the fledgling Bald Eagles chasing a parent and begging which makes three months of photographing the family. Two youngsters were in hot pursuit over the river, across the train tracks and highway, to disappear somewhere over by Mount Jumbo. I'll bet they haven't hunted on their own yet and wait until the parents just SNAP and say, "Get a job!"

Shot 'O the Day

2011-07-29T20:27:00.004-06:00

Another Osprey and today with pal, photographer John Salisbury, just back from a fantastic trip to the Arctic in Alaska. We had a great visit, plus got to shoot some Fish Hawks in the Bitterroot. He told tales of his northern canoe trip with tens of thousands of caribou, Gyrfalcons on the hunt, and grizzly bears perhaps way too close for comfort. John has an intriguing and colorful web site and we know you have seen his fine photos around town. http://salisburyimages.com/

Eagle Eyes

2011-07-28T22:47:00.009-06:00

The most acute vision in the world is often credited to eagles, as in the saying "eagle eyes." Today, Carmen and I witnessed the male Bald Eagle staring at a horse fly just off the front of his beak, distracted for a second or two. Raptors have as a many as five times more visual cells (cones, versus rods which are those for night vision) packed into their retina which is where the picture is formed on the back of the eye. We know that these birds can see detail at great distances, but how are they at viewing objects close up? Obviously just fine with this look of curiosity at the bug. Many owls have a slightly different perspective and poor vision up close (Great Horned, for example). Just be glad we can see the text messages on our cell phones! Well, for those that know how to do that texting thing...

Lydia's Favorite Birds

2011-07-23T20:22:00.008-06:00

An Osprey wins, getting attacked by an Eastern Kingbird at Lee Metcalf today. My 6 3/4 year old friend Lydia noticed this bird out hunting for fish and said, "Shoot, Kate!" Unfortunately she and her parents, Gretchen and Jeremy Puckett are leaving tomorrow, but we wish they would stay and move back here!

Peregrines in the Bitterroot

2011-07-23T09:48:00.003-06:00

A day in the field with biologist Mac Donofrio was productive and fun, searching for fledgling Peregrines across the road at One Horse Creek. Just as we were packing up to change locations we heard the telltale whine of a begging youngster and were thrilled to find that two had flown in to perch nearby. We followed them downhill for a noisy feeding bout and three falcons headed south. Mac reports that nearly all of the dozen or so nests in the Bitterroot have fledged young, much better odds that the overall picture in Montana. The cold and wet spring more resembled winter, and many nests failed, or didn't produce young at all. Just an off year and we'll hope for better luck in 2012.

Attack Continues...

2011-07-17T17:12:00.004-06:00

The next eagle to land on the snag was similarly attacked by the orioles, and this was the unexperienced youngest bird, still perfecting flight skills. They know how to fly but just have to perfect that tough landing part. This was enough for him to concentrate on, but while under attack from two pesky Bullock's Orioles, he finally gave up to flee in frustration, smacking the top of a cottonwood on the way. The female oriole is in fast pursuit and no kidding, a real photo with no gimmicks. The young eagle had accidentally almost swallowed a tree limb, and then transferred it to his feet and dropped it on the beach. It all happened so fast that we almost feared that what fell from the sky was one of the orioles, but no. I really think that these young birds will be at the mercy of their parents for some time to come before they hunt on their own. And orioles are not on the menu.

Attack of the Orioles!

2011-07-17T16:52:00.005-06:00

Another unbelievable bit of behavior at the Bald Eagle nest site observed by Carmen Bassin and me, and from a different perspective this time. We went down on the banks of the Clark Fork yesterday hopping over a slough that has been flooded, to look back from below. We eventually found all four fledglings and both parents, and saw these mighty predators put in their place by some tiny birds that have shared their air space all breeding season. A pair of Bullock's Orioles harassed two of the fledglings that had perched on the scenic snag, even bouncing off the underside of this female repeatedly.

Osprey Chick A Superstar

2011-07-15T16:29:00.007-06:00

The Riverside Health Care Osprey nest was the center of the universe for an hour this morning. The celebrity parents and chick star on the web cam and are also family for residents at Riverside, and today was time to band the baby. Heiko Langner made the trip up in the bucket truck and the youngster was banded and weighed by Erick Greene and Heiko, with feather and blood samples taken to test for toxins in Heiko's lab. Another chore was to clean off the plexiglass web cam cover, as our little friend had scored a direct hit with excrement the day before. This fascinating video snippet has no doubt gone "viral" by now in the intellectual circuits. The baby was back in the nest in no time at all, female returning, pictured here.

Fledglings Fly

2011-07-12T21:52:00.003-06:00

The Bald Eagle nest we've been observing since April 30th has been a main feature in the blogs, and today, one of the fledglings circled high over the river and landed on one of the favorite snags of her parents across the Clark Fork. Two young remained at the nest hunkered down in the heat and high winds, with the fourth calling near-by. I think we can safely say that all four have made it, an amazing feat. We only know of a few Bald Eagles that have pulled this off, as typically just two make it to fledging. A few nests in Montana have produced four young in the past, one in Virginia this year, Pennsylvania last year, and perhaps one in Ohio in the past (thanks Libby Mojica for the info.) But still not off the hook, as more photos must be taken for the new book!

Montana Folk Festival

2011-07-11T11:37:00.002-06:00

Saturday was a 300 mile round trip to the Folk Festival in Butte, a sunny day and mild temps of 75 degrees, just right. We had a booth and shared the stage with legendary Vince Yannon from Fish, Wildlife and Parks (or as one little girl recently called it "Fishin' Life's Wild Parks."HA) He brought a very vocal raven and Great Horned Owl, and we had our trusty Golden Eagle Nigel and Alisa the Red-tail. Big laughs and a lot of fun. Next year, I'm going to go check out the music!

Raptor Ranch Renovation

2011-07-09T22:19:00.007-06:00

Where have I been with these blogs? A very busy week starting with an art opening at the Prudential building last Friday night, then renovations galore at our facilities. Here is my friend Carmen Bassin's daughter Madison and her boyfriend Adam, power-washing the eagle building then mowing and tons more work to get ready for the team of volunteers that arrived later in the week. Then our team stained each and every one of our 11 enclosures with rollers and brushes, replaced the astroturf on the perches, new shade cloth, EVERYTHING to make sure that they last another ten years. Today was a big program at the Butte Folk Festival...think I'll sleep in tomorrow morning.

MCAT RULES

2011-06-29T19:45:00.006-06:00

Missoula Community Access Television Young Filmmakers Workshop was at the Raptor Ranch today with the champions of videography! Ron Scholl (filming here) and I figured that this was the twelfth year of having kids make little movies, and pictured are the last of the shots that will appear on TV on Friday at 4:30 pm - all 14 students leaping into the air with joy, oldsters like me making a little hand gesture. We made a crime drama, suspensful bit about a missing raptor, and talking birds with my voiceovers. Fun and make sure your kids sign up for next summer. We had a big waiting list including James Cameron who wanted to shoot in 3D (just kidding.)

Fledge Day

2011-06-28T09:00:00.003-06:00

Looks like Saturday's trip might be our last with photos of all four Bald Eagle young in the nest, as yesterday one had disappeared. Probably that whopping huge female that had been flapping like mad. This one was about 20 feet underneath, one was out on a side limb, one still in the nest. Our friend Sue Erickson across the road reports that three big black birds were in there this morning, so either this one climbed back up or the flighted one returned. I'll try to sneak in over there after the Library program today. Pretty exciting if you ask me.

Finally a Fish

2011-06-27T08:15:00.003-06:00

All four youngsters were still residents at the Bald Eagle nest on Saturday, and they had this food delivery by the male, a huge mountain whitefish (just correctly ID'd by friend Andy Puckett.)The last few weeks I have just seen squirrels and deer and some kind of large bird brought to the nestlings, and not many fish in this whole time I've been watching. The young seem restless and their "branching" is getting more brave, further from the nest and lots of big bouts of flapping and jumping into the air. Back today and will keep you posted, and don't forget our 2 p.m. program tomorrow at the Missoula Library!

Missoula Art Museum Week

2011-06-25T08:32:00.005-06:00

Bev Glueckert and I have been holding these Birds And Art workshops for about 40 years now. Okay, more like 15, and with the Art Museum's "new" remodel, a perfect week. One time we were accidentally scheduled to hold it in a lecture hall on the campus, so ended up making our paper mache sculptures in the parking lot of the Botany building! Eighteen students aged 7 to 11 and lots of owls, hawks a Peregrine Falcon and big Bald Eagle. Sorry I didn't stick around for the clean-up folks...had to go spy on some real falcons and eagles.

Excersise Those Wings

2011-06-23T20:47:00.013-06:00

A quick visit to the eagle nest today with Annie Garde of KUFM public radio, and a prey delivery by the male as I was learning all of the wildflowers from the expert. Pentstemon is my new favorite, a flower decorating the trail along with lupine. When we arrived, it was a quick tripod and camera set-up as the male left the nest. Just then, the female flew in to feed this youngest bird as the older nestlings exercised in huge winds. Everything happens at once sometimes, and I recounted to Annie the 20 days of standing by the camera for up to 6 hours at a time with nothing! She brought us good luck and the plan is to publish a book of the eagles and this incredible season with four youngsters and the animals that share their habitat. Lots of photos of deer, fox squirrels, ground squirrels, geese, ducks, pigeons, magpies and starlings, species that have been prey but also fellow occupants of that special spot there on the banks of the Clark Fork River.

Another Nest Visitor

2011-06-21T08:24:00.004-06:00

My friend Carmen and I spent the afternoon Sunday at the Bald Eagle nest, and got this shot of yet another nest inhabitant. This magpie has been exploring and getting pretty darn close to the nestlings, no doubt after some tasty animal parts. One of the young was also exploring, way out on a branch in the back. We also found the adult female feeding on a freshly killed deer fawn across the river, bringing viscera to the nest, and images we will spare you. The male also fed on the deer, too large to bring to the nest in one piece. When we left, all the the young and both parents had bulging crops, settled down for little naps (in the rain!)

Great Gray Owls, Finally

2011-06-17T11:47:00.004-06:00

Last year on June 1st, my pal Keith Fialcowitz and I were guided in to this nest in the Big Hole Valley by Jack Kirkley, and the young had already fledged. One year and just over two weeks later we lucked out with the female and these youngsters, a few days apart in age. Jack is a Professor at U of M Western, and he has about 50 Goshawk nests to check out this spring/summer. The weather has kept him from this field work with impassible roads and deep snow. We dodged the rain yesterday but enjoyed bouts of "gropple", and thanks Jack!

Fox Squirrel Family

2011-06-11T10:03:00.004-06:00

We have noticed some squirrels living "on the edge," inhabiting the Bald Eagle nest right under the babies; at first one bold individual, then two, and yesterday the mom and two offspring. This is especially ironic as the Bald Eagles have been bringing in a fair share of mammals, Columbian ground squirrels and this non-native eastern fox squirrel, all after forays near East Missoula. Again, we wonder how they can catch such agile little tree dwellers, and they don't look particularly flattened, as in road kill. I doubt these squirrels even know that they share a home with such big, bad raptors.

First Line of Defense

2011-06-08T16:52:00.004-06:00

Up and down, river levels have changed drastically, but last night's torrential downpour inspired some defensive work in the way of some strategically placed sandbags. Tom and I made two walls in the lowest spots next to the slough to at least try to keep water out of the fields and hawk buildings. If the Bitterroot River decides to march up to the house, we'll have to come up with a Plan B. The dogs and ducks sure enjoy all of the water. Our sympathies to those of you out there in worse shape, and a helpless feeling to be certain.

There're HERE!

2011-06-07T08:24:00.005-06:00

The new book has finally arrived, and I picked up some cartons from Mountain Press hot off the truck. I am sending copies out today to those of you that pre-ordered and sorry for the delay. Now I can send them out directly for autographed copies and a portion of proceeds goes right back to fund our program. Hope they sell like hotcakes! It's affordable paperback, 10 by 9 5/8 inches, 250 pages, and the best part - 45 species from Burrowing Owls to Peregrines and 430 color photographs! And 430 captions... Order today at $30 plus $5 shipping.

Another Friend Has Returned

2011-06-05T15:43:00.004-06:00

The same minute I was taping the FedEx box shut to return the big borrowed 500 mm lens, this friend showed up. I'm betting it's the same bird, a male Black-chinned Hummingbird in the same tree in the yard as last year (June 27th blog from 2010.) Once again, I'm standing on a ladder in the back yard, and here another hummingbird flew by. He is saying "You want a piece of of me?" and a chase ensued. So far he is winning, King of the Raptor Ranch.

Bald Eagle Prey - A Deer

2011-06-03T08:33:00.005-06:00

I got a series of extraordinary photos at the Bald Eagle nest Tuesday, and witnessed a prey delivery of a new variety - the back two legs of a yearling deer. The item appeared cumbersome as the male circled the nest twice before landing, and the young were ravenous. Or more hungry than I'd seen before as they usually take polite turns at feeding. He later brought in a third leg and female returned with the fourth, and we saw her carrying it back from Marshall Grade across the highway. Road kill, coyote food, or actually preyed upon by the eagles? We'll never know. This is exciting and I have started saving for that 500 mm lens, as I had to send the rental back.

Latest Bald Eagles

2011-05-26T22:34:00.007-06:00

Yesterday was killer at the eagle nest, with a rented Nikon 500 mm lens from BorrowLenses.com in San Carlos, California. Man O man, would I love to buy one of these, but for the time being, only on loan. It would cost more than my first three cars, and those of you that remember the olden days can recall that white '72 Volkswagen bug, '82 Datsun station wagon with the pack rats living in the headliner, and Subaru number 1. We'll be back at the nest for the next five days with the rental lens and hopefully better weather than today. Snow squalls in May?

Growing Birds

2011-05-19T19:39:00.007-06:00

These nestlings are awaiting the delivery of yet another Canada Goose gosling, and just parts. Last week we identified by careful zooms on these photos that they enjoyed several Columbian Ground Squirrels and at least one Eastern Fox Squirrel, amazing. Theft from other raptors as they are so prone, or hunting mammals for themselves? Beats me, and stay tuned. Four babies in this nest, and one was hiding in this shot.

APEC Conference and 600.1 Miles!

2011-05-17T16:24:00.006-06:00

Just back from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference at Big Sky near Yellowstone Park, and a photo of the Subaru at dawn with Nigel the eagle and Jillian the owl in the back. We had a great visit, with hundreds of photos of the 175 attendees from 21 countries with our ambassador bird mostly taken from little cameras as big as a pack of playing cards. Our emcee and I have a few friends in common in the raptor world, as he was involved in reintroduction of Bald Eagles in California, and one man was convinced he had seen me on The Tonight Show with Jay Lenno. You bet, that was me, wearing a dress. Ha!

Snipe Really Do Exist

2011-05-14T08:25:00.008-06:00

I pointed out a flying Wilson's Snipe (earlier I said Common, but those are the European variety, I just found) to some visitors this week, and they were surprised to learn that there really is such a thing. Apparently one of our friends was tricked into "snipe hunts" as a kid, pointless ventures into the night with a sack, a practical joke played on all kids. This was a male snipe performing an elaborate flight display marking his territory, flying high and plunging toward the ground. Special muscles fan out his tail feathers which vibrate and make a beautiful winnowing sound. Instead of the typical 12 tail feathers of other birds including sandpipers, snipe have 14 or 16 depending on subspecies. They must have a nest in the grass near the house, and this guy displays well past dark.

Today's Deliveries

2011-05-08T19:46:00.005-06:00

These Bald Eagles are confounding us with food for the nestlings. What does that look like? Yep, a duck head. These kids had an entirely avian diet in the three hours that Carmen Bassin and I spent at the nest today, Mother's Day for the youngsters with feathers again flying. The last delivery was another Canada Goose gosling, and the nearby golf course must salute the heroics of the eagles for picking off a problem bird on the links. Or maybe not...

What Is He/She Bringing in Now?

2011-05-05T21:23:00.004-06:00

Another morning at our local Bald Eagle nest and a surprise prey delivery. We think of these birds as fish specialists this time of year, but a pigeon! Feathers were flying and a quick drop off for one nestling in particular, then the adult made a bee-line up river to return a half hour later with a - get this - Canada Goose gosling. So an avian diet today and beats me how they caught a pigeon. Even our Peregrine can't catch the ones we have to train her in the fall.

Woodman Rules!

2011-05-04T21:14:00.006-06:00

Just back from a program at Woodman School, up Lolo Creek, Highway 12 a bit, and what fun. These kids are so into the out-of-doors with 4-H projects and bluebird boxes everywhere. Maybe that wasn't a good idea to install a Kestrel nesting box right there, oh well. A good friend of ours attended that school a while back and told us, "When I was in the first grade there was no eighth grade and when I was in the second grade there was no first grade. All eight grades in one room. And at recess all eight grades played together so you could have two baseball teams." This school was built in 1892, so the joke is that maybe my friend and I could have been there when Lewis and Clark passed through. It's on the Historic Trail!

Shot 'O the (Yester)Day

2011-05-01T17:17:00.006-06:00

This is definitely my favorite lately, the male Bald Eagle bring in a fish to a nest on the Clark Fork River, the youngster and mom ready to chow down. Thanks to photographer and friend John Salisbury for helping me get the colors right on this one! It will be featured in a show called BirdFest 2011 at the Artists' Shop on Higgins, downtown Missoula for next month. Bird art in many mediums by a myriad of talents will be featured. Several photos from our new book "Raptors of the West" are included and even a book signing for First Friday in June.

Clark Fork School Kids are Cool

2011-04-27T22:41:00.005-06:00

After a bunch of assemblies for schools lately, we enjoyed a small gathering yesterday for the kids at Clark Fork School in Missoula. Friend Charlotte Beatty invited us to talk to the kindergarten through 2nd grade, and Sibley the Peregrine began the discussion with how she came to be an educator. I showed the little film of her time from baby in the play pen in the living room to an adult flying in a TV program chasing ducks. iPod the Pygmy-Owl was in attendance, the fairly recent addition to the teaching team and a favorite already (of course.) These children are very bird savvy, two of them arguing the merits of the Peterson versus Sibley Field Guides, no kidding. I think at that age I was discussing "Speed Racer" versus "Lost In Space." HA!

More Ospreys!

2011-04-26T19:41:00.004-06:00

Thanks to brilliant work by many folks, the Osprey Web Cams are up LIVE:

Peregrine Occupancy, What a Day

2011-04-23T20:40:00.008-06:00

Starting in the morning, Carmen Bassin and I made the hike up to One Horse Creek, and after an hour found the two Peregrines that are holding that territory high above the valley for the second year running. We saw them flying, perching on snags on the top at the horizon, and thanks to landowner Bob Tabke for access. YES! Occupancy, and the furthest north Peregrines in the Bitterroot. We even spotted one of the Prairie Falcons that have been nesting down lower in the drainage. After that, we had no luck at Carlton Creek nearby, but in the last eight years, I never have seen a Peregrine advertising that they are nesting there. Some day. Then we saw the Ospreys at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge with the two parents on the relocated platform, and this Canada Goose incubating eggs in the background. All those little goslings will hatch nearly at once, bail of of the tree, find the water below, and disappear. Often, Ospreys will take over the nest once the geese have split the scene, so those of you with honkers at your house, take heart. You might still get some Ospreys soon!

Amazing New Peregrine Territory

2011-04-19T08:43:00.006-06:00

Jay Sumner, Director of the Montana Peregrine Institute has said for years, "Some day Peregrines will nest here..." and we would take a brief look at this gravel pit in Clinton. Last week he again stopped to take a peek and to his amazement, two Peregrines were cruising the cliff face, landing on the rocks and snags, and even mating before our very eyes. That's what we would call occupied. I lived right across the highway from this eyesore for 13 years, never thinking I would grow to love it as the site of a Peregrine eyrie! Carmen Bassin and I watched the pair yesterday in between snow squalls, and we are hooked. We can only guess where the birds will set up shop. They may be the offspring from one of the Blackfoot nests or the one near Drummond, and are a very welcome addition to the list of new Peregrine nests in Montana. And we owe Jay for his discovery!

Riverside Ospreys Back With a Flourish

2011-04-13T11:09:00.006-06:00

Our favorite Osprey nest is occupied again, and the male has been in the area for a few weeks. Finally the female joined him yesterday and the whole reunion has been captured on the web cam. With NorthWestern Energy, we erected an Osprey platform five years ago at Riverside Health Care. The birds have been using it the last three, and two with a camera mounted above. This year, Tammy Talley, Director at Riverside has made sure that a top-notch system was put in place, along with Heiko Langner of the University's Environmental Chemistry Lab who heads up "Project Osprey." We bought a high definition television yesterday, a deal from Vann's in Hamilton, and now we will have all of the action live for the Riverside residents, and on the web site. SOON! Here, the male is delivering a stick. Females are the ones that often have the "necklace" of darker feathers across the breast, but this male sports that plumage pattern. Plus we know it's the male, as we have witnessed several, well, matings.

New Raptor Round-Up- Read It Now

2011-04-10T08:34:00.009-06:00

Everyone should have it in their mail boxes by Monday or Tuesday, but the three-times-a-year newsletter always looks better in color. I am making many of the new photos that appear in this issue into note cards, and my new favorite is the kestrel on the cover. My favorite story is "A Big Bald Eagle With a History" on page 3 with photos from 1986 of that eagle we rehabbed and released, right after she was trapped and fit with the radio transmitter. Check it out! Raptor Round-Up 37

A Very Sad Friday

2011-04-02T12:40:00.004-06:00

After a long life as an educator and inspiration to tens of thousands of children and adults, Buster the Northern Saw-whet Owl has passed of what we think could have been a heart attack; quietly eating a mouse and five minutes later dead. He joined us in 1999 as a youngster with a wing droop, and became a program favorite instantly, nearly always on his best behavior. He was also very vocal, with his whistling call lasting long hours into the night. He is already missed by the Davis's as we reflect on all of the reactions by audiences over the years, upon seeing such a "cute" little predator. He was with us for twelve happy years and a true star.

Tower of Power Video

2011-03-25T19:12:00.002-06:00

Here is the promised video of Sibley flying at the University of Montana Flight Lab, March 16th.

New Book Off to the Printers

2011-03-23T09:33:00.008-06:00

Remember two newsletters ago when I announced that our new book, Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs was done? Well, now it officially is and will be sent to the printers today. This is almost exactly two years since I started collecting the photographs from Rob Palmer, Nick Dunlop and me, April 1st 2009. Then I wrote the captions over the summer, 420-something to be almost exact. Our publishers, Mountain Press in Missoula tell us to be patient for a few months, then it will hit the stands with great hoopla. This is the last photo added by designer Jeannie Nuckolls, my latest Northern Goshawk image. That makes 430 images of raptors (with one of the photographers) , 45 species, 250 pages, $30 with a portion of proceeds to our organization. The "icing on the gravy" is the back cover blurb written by Tom Cade, founder of the Peregrine Fund: To gaze into the deep, brown eyes of a falcon is to see one's own being reflected in the life of another creature. The images in this collection will excite your imagination, edify you, and hold you enraptured, as you view our western raptors in their natural landscapes.