Big Day, Mom!

Happy Happy Sally Mom, our best pal. Number 86!

Today in the Bitterroot

Sibley goofing off and a moose eating a pine tree

Washington Wildcats

Back from an hour-plus program for 240 6th graders, right here in Missoula with PowerPoint, Sib and the little kennel as a surprise. I told the kids I bought a kitten (Awwww!) and actually the tiny owl, Owen (Awwww!)  I had a short film of Sibley growing up, showing the imprinting process of 24-hour attention to a growing bird. I said this was easy because I don't have a job. At the end of the program, a hand went up during questions. "What is your job?"  That was a first and I had a long answer...

"Terrifying"

I packed Jake in the car at 6:00 am on Monday and had the most terrifying drive of a lifetime in a blinding snowstorm - didn’t even see a lane or pavement for 85 miles. White-out, ice and 35 mpg. Fortunately no one else was stupid enough to drive in those conditions. Got slightly better and an easy drive home from Spokane, WA - 452 miles total for me. Kit and Tim report that they made it back to Eugene that evening and Jake is settling in nicely, great new digs. And a photo of a Prairie Falcon and Northern Harrier squabble to illustrate the SNOW conditions, unbelievable. 

Bye, Jake

Little Jake the Peregrine who joined us as a baby in July is now a resident of the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon. He has had health issues from the start and may need surgery on one foot, so Director Kit Lacey and staff will care for him, a hospital and veterinarian on site. Very fine facility! We met up in Spokane, Washington yesterday and Jake was at his new home at dark. More news about that drive next...whew.

Today at Fort Owen

Thanks Becky Peters for this snapshot from today's program. Look at those kids with Owen the Owl!

Our Favorite Rodent

This Red Squirrel rules the roost, and here he is flying through the aspen trees in the front yard. (The bird feeder is the target!)

Next Saturday!

Fort Owen Ranch and State Park, Stevensville - from 10am - 3 pm. Kids invited, come one come all. An event for out-of-door enthusiasts with booths, food, and a Raptors of the Rockies presentation at 2 pm. Archery, fly fishing, shooting, horsepacking, the works. In the big barn right off Eastside Cut-off Road. FREE!

Finally the Snow!

Just now, and update on Jake - more permit hoops to jump through, and waiting on the weather, so he'll be with us a while longer.

Little Jake Off To Oregon

Our young Peregrine Falcon Little Jake is here in the office. This weekend he will be joining the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon. I am meeting Director Kit Lacey in Spokane for the transfer, off the Falconry license and on an Education permit. Health issues and more news on the way. We are all delighted!

Jeopardy

We are HUGE Jeopardy fans and last night the Final Jeopardy Category was "World Mammals." I was correct even before I heard the question and what are the chances of this? I shouted out, "Platypus." After the advertisement the question was announced - "A drawing of it by John Hunter, naturalist & governor of New South Wales, published in 1802 labels it Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus." "What is a duck-billed platypus." 
I was correct, and crazy to get that correct with 5,416 species of mammals from which to choose! On my way to buy a lottery ticket. Just kidding.

Today