Filmmaker Friend Today

We hosted our friend Michael Workman today for a filmmaking day, starting early in the morning and starring Sibley the Peregrine. I jessed her up in the enclosure, then a walk to the river, and perching in the yard. Then another walk to the river...lots of shots. I hadn't seen Michael since he was a kid, and now a Masters’s Degree in Film from Stanford University, so we talked movies and directors the whole time, way fun. I think we may hire Michael for another little film over here to play with all of our ZOOM requests lately, no live programs scheduled.

Sunday Sib and Nico

Super Subaru Surviver

This young Red-tailed Hawk was struck by a car yesterday, and was reported, "still alive," miraculous. I extracted her from the grill of the Subaru with a little help and delivered her today to our pal Becky Kean from the Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman, meeting half-way for the exchange - Subaru's on either side, coincidence? The ulna was broken in two spots mid-wing, and hopefully releasable. If anyone can fix her, they can and cross your fingers! I do not do rehabilitation but was talked into this by the driver, saying, "she's looking right at me" so a quick drive to Stevensville!

Thursday Night On the Beach

 Last evening, this adult (!) Osprey flew in and perched over the Bald Eagle nest. The nest is seen just by the signature, left of the K, right of the ©.  I sprinted over to my old viewing spot on the bank and he suddenly flew. That's why - the Bald Eagles claiming property rights. I say adult (!) because it is usually young birds hanging around now, parents long gone. They are  told apart by white edges to all those dark feathers on the hatch-year birds.  I'll post one next. This Osprey is from far away, north of us, passing through,  I'll bet you bucks.

Pea Green Boat Today

 Join host Annie Garde and me at 4 pm MST today on Montana Public Radio's Pea Green Boat, found left of the FM dial, 89.1 in Missoula and streaming everywhere on earth at mtpr.org. Today we will discuss our favorite book she has been reading, Jean Craighead George's My Side of the Mountain, a classic and steered me and untold numbers of others to the sport of falconry. Plus we'll have a Sibley the Peregrine update, and talk about my new book, Falcons of North America 2nd Edition, the big project for the last six months, from Mountain Press Publishing Company here in Missoula. See you then- oh, this is a Phoney, by telephone!

Falcons Falcons

 Sorry for the big blog gap, as I have been working non-stop to complete the Falcons of North America 2nd Edition book. My pals at Mountain Press Publishing asked me to install all of the photos and captions in the text, a lot easier said than done! 257 photos in all. So I handed it off to editor Jennifer, then layout and design Jeannie, then another look by me. Whew, what a book - me (and Nick and Rob) so proud. The LAST photo installed, Peregrine in training, 59 new photos from me, nearly 150 new photos total and some major updates in the text.

Pileated from the Porch

 This young female Pileated Woodpecker was just in the front yard, tame as a cat! 

Sibley's 18th Season Begins Today!

 

HACKED!

 Yes, our Raptors web site (www.raptorsoftherockies.org) was hacked, and look at the perpetrators. Cialis! Of all things. Many, many thanks to Webmaster Steve Palmer for fixing it right away. Whew, scary.

And on a lighter note, Nico is slowly recovering from the loss of her sister dog, Mookie, as are we.

Falcons of North America 2nd Edition

DONE! Submitted to Mountain Press Publishing Company yesterday and six months almost exactly since I began work on this project. The first version was the favorite of my six books, and came out 12 years ago. Now, major edits and updates, 150 new photos and a total of 264 from Rob Palmer, Nick Dunlop, me, plus some guests. Psyched for this one, larger format! WHEW!

More Mookie

 

So Sad

 Mookie our favorite dog passed away Saturday, nearly 10 years old and our family. She suffered a stroke about a month ago and was on pain meds, then appetite meds, then she just gave up. A rough night and died here at her home. She was our constant companion, hikes and hunting with the Peregrine, and always laid down in any body of water she came across, river or irrigation ditch. RIP Mook, XXOO.

Wednesday Zoom, 6.:30

 And here's the link:     https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84581190934