Thursday Night

Blackfoot Peregrines

Mom and I paid a visit to our favorite Peregrine cliffs up the Blackfoot River only to be baffled by behavior. Both adults were flying around, female e-chupping as if it was breeding season. She went back to the old, old cliff ledge and begged for a half hour. What's up with that and we'll head back and make a guess. Chicks should be ready to fledge soon...stay tuned.

Tough Trip to the River

My choice was to either finish mowing the lawn, or try to get down to the river, two eagles in the nest tree. Treacherous is the word of the day, and will need to have the water drop a lot more before I try that again, wading with a camera and tripod. I won't tell you how much the camera gear is worth. Okay, more than my car. (However, I drive a 2013 Subaru Outback, just about to pass the 200,000 mile mark any day now.)

Poster Kids and Milltown Park

The 2nd and 3rd graders Friday were rewarded a gift for every correct answer to a zoology question. First one by a little boy that answered, "Peregrines are the fastest animals in the world with stoops up to 230 mph catching birds in the air." Everyone answered questions perfectly, so our posters the take-homes. And Dr. Erick Greene yesterday afternoon at the NEW Milltown State Park discussing Ospreys, a beautiful mounted bird and site of the old dam in the background. We had Sibley along to talk about Peregrine recovery and too bad about the rain but a hard-core audience, for certain.

What the Heck is That?

My pal Bruce Haak and I were swapping Prairie Falcon photos yesterday and boy, does he have some dandies. So I sent him this snapshot from last Christmas. Yep, a Prairie Falcon fighting with a Northern Harrier in a blizzard, you were right!

Saturday!

The day has come, Grand Opening of Milltown State Park at the site of the dam removal and superfund clean-up. Events all day and we are on at 4 pm with Dr. Erick Greene who will discuss the Montana Osprey Project. I'll have a chance to recount Peregrine Falcon populations and recovery from extirpation (local extinction) with Sibley on hand. And...Kettlehouse beer!

Raptores In Construction

MAM Birds And Art for Kids Camp

Our junior zoologists and artists with their paper mâché raptors! Missoula Art Museum and volunteers Paul, Anna, Beth, Dan, and star instructor Bev Beck Glueckert, top row. You can see we had our fair share of Peregrines, Red-tails,Snowy Owls, Barn Owls, Great horned and one Saw-whet Owl, plus our first ever White-tailed Hawk and Harpy Eagle. Plus two Rainbow Hawks, leave it to your own imagination, kids!

MOSQUITOES!

Yardbirds last night, with one hundred thousand million mosquitoes. Baby Buffleheads and Sandhill Cranes, man o man.

Two Very Different Programs With Our Team

Top photo is a little appearance for a party at our friend and neighbor Ken Siebel's home Saturday at Bitterroot Springs Ranch.  Guests including Gavin Newsom former mayor of San Francisco and Huey Lewis music star, plus Ken's daughters - Brooke's birthday.
Then all week is Birds and Art for Kids at the Missoula Art Museum, the students drawing and painting our owls today.  A genuine Montana experience for guests at Ken's and paper mâché raptors for the kids the next two days, more photos on the way. It's ALL great and makes me so proud.

Loving the Occasional SUN

Those Crazy Ospreys!

Yesterday at my sister Betsy's home in Turah, Mom and I spotted three Ospreys flying around as we pulled in the driveway. Bets has two adjacent nests on a big steel power pole nearby, vacant so far this season. Not yesterday, as a fourth Osprey showed up, one even bringing in a fish, both nests "occupied." Strange to see three adults standing around like they were nest mates. Ospreys are peculiar in that the juveniles stay on the wintering grounds for a year, many for two years before migrating back north. They would then return their second or third spring, breed on their fourth. Then may have a mate/nest site for 15 years if they are lucky! These are probably young-ish birds, goofing off.

Spring!

Deer

Sat.Sun.Mon.

Sibley the Peregrine was the Star at Ninepipes Museum Art Opening Saturday, getting a little restless after 2 hours on her perch. Thanks Kathy Senkler for a fantastic afternoon, and John and Jeanne Grant for some beverages afterwards. Sunday we hosted a tour, the top bid winner at the Missoula Humane Society Jan and her friends Kathy and Meg, our pals for life now. And just now, Mookie at the ex-flood. What a muddy mess, and will have to reinstall the bridge over the slough, if anyone want to come help.

 

Join Us Saturday at Ninepipes!

We are excited to be exhibiting 28 framed photographs at one of our favorite places, Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana. Adjacent to Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge in the gorgeous Flathead Valley in Charlo, the museum celebrates First Saturday with a showcase of local art. This month it's my photos plus Sibley the Peregrine, tomorrow from 2- 4 pm. I'll have a bunch of books to sign as well (of course...) See you there! Then the show will be up all June, and I'll take my Mom for a tour.