Happy Turkey Day!

 

MAM Auction Piece

This is my etching in the Missoula Art Museum Auction in February, Yay! And on Friday afternoon I had a Raptors program for Clark Fork School, 60 little kids. I had my etching in the car to drop off at MAM afterward. We thought to bring it inside and at the very end I held it up, asked the kids what these animals were, flipped it over and they all shouted:   “Pelicans!"    Junior Zoologists, all. So proud.

On and On!

 

Tonight

 

Rough-legged Hawk

I was chasing this hawk yesterday, got this shot. Back from the far north for the winter, they sport little feet feathered to the toes for a "rough leg." Often perching on little tiny limbs, they are identifiable at a distance. Red-tails are still here for the winter, and they tend to choose bigger limbs. Subtle field marks.

Safety

"Think I'll stand here until after dark on November 30th." Across the river!

 

Christmas Cactus

What a big bloom in the window, a gift from Lindi Vishoot in 1996 when Tom had a logging accident and hospital stay. It was great gift and look at this nice plant so many years later. Unbelievable Christmas Cactus!

Mail - Day 3

A Raptor Round-Up Newsletter takes almost a week to write, then print 300 in living color (thanks Minuteman Press!) then fold 200, stick on addresses, draw a little hawk face on each, print and add a little color card for many, then tape shut. Stamp. Easy. Day 3 and Sonora the Aplomado Falcon helping me today. How 20th Century, I am told.

Our Heron

 In a little stretch before a flight. Falconers call this a "warble" for some reason. Not a warbler here!

Mose Today!

 

Missoula Art Museum

Raptors and Art for Grown-ups on Saturday, packed 'em in the classroom, the best one yet and some real artists. Fun with Sonora the Aplomado, Simon and Little Billie the owls, and Nigel the Golden Eagle on his best behavior. Thanks Cathy Scholtens for giving me a hand and taking this photo. Birds, anatomy, drawing, painting and printmaking - Bev Beck Glueckert at the helm! Another one of these soon.

THE Eagles

 

Flying Up the Slough Today

 

Today My Favorite Bird