Thursday, June 30, 2022

Black-billed Magpies!

I'm sure we have five magpie nests in the yard, maybe more and a new one in a larch tree we planted 18 years ago. Another one in the foliage of Jillian's building, plus a big stick dome by the kestrels. WOW! Fledging now, the short tails and blue eyes and begging all day, beginning when it starts getting light in the a.m.



Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Red-tail Shout

Fun Day at the Missoula Public Library!  Perfect birds, Powerpoint, many old friends and some new ones, and 230 in the audience! Man, I love the new Library, thanks Sarah Velk for hosting!


Sunday, June 26, 2022

Visit

Yesterday, our host Sarah Velk for the Missoula Public Library program this week and her best pal Nate came over for an excellent afternoon, hamming it up with Mischa. We'll have our first program at the NEW library on Wednesday at 2 pm, and they suggest you get free tickets ahead of time through the web site:   https://falconsoftheworld.eventbrite.com

Will be a Powerpoint, 2 Falcons and 2 Owls in person.


Saturday, June 25, 2022

More Art Camp

It was Mischa's debut in a classroom, over by the sink in the cubby hole Monday and Tuesday, happy as can be with her toys. And campers peruse the books, David Sibley's latest What It's Like To Be a Bird,  with Sonora and Sibley (back right) as models. Fun.


 

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Watsons Friends

 Watsons Children's Shelter annual visit and our favorite part - letting the racing pigeons out of the loft!


Thursday, June 16, 2022

Big Day

Raptors and Art Camp, three Peregrines, one kestrel, a Burrowing Owl , California Condor, Golden Eagle, Goshawk and a couple Ospreys. Best kids ever, but I always say that. 


 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

MAM Camp Day 2

Missoula Art Museum Kids, Mischa on the left, Sonora the Aplomado on the right, and Sibley the Peregrine right behind me.



Monday, June 13, 2022

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Friday, June 10, 2022

Today's Rock Stars!

Our so-far annual visit from "Backstage Pass: Montana," band members and super-fans of the metal rock group Queensryche. Top is their newest incarnation called Operation:Mindcrime with the little falcon. I announced that her name was Jet City Woman, to thunderous "right-ons." (A famous song title, okay? I thought it was hilarious.) When I said that Nigel the Golden Eagle was named for an XTC song, one gal broke out in a beautiful singing voice, "We're only making plans for Nigel." WAY fun.

Ball Toss

Our Black Lab Nico constantly drops tennis balls (or pinecones) at our feet for us to toss. She is now dropping them for Mischa. Go for it, little falcon, 32 days old here.


Wednesday, June 8, 2022

So Sad

Betsy's birthday, and we always go look at birds with her and Sally Mom, both gone now. Some major tears.



Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Perry RULES!

Our dear friend, reporter/photographer for Missoulian and Ravalli Republic Newspapers,  Perry Backus had a great visit today, interview for an upcoming story about our program, photos of Maizee and Mischa. He shall retire on Friday and wanted to cover the healing process here with these birds after our human losses, bright future with these Peregrines. Sibley will not similarly retire, and neither will we. Love you, Perry!



Monday, June 6, 2022

Willard School Visit

Cool kids and teachers, Mischa's first program and our 137th school since we began in 1988!


 

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Bad Idea, Mr. Ground Squirrel

Not the best place to pop up or venture forth, Mr. ex-Columbian Ground Squirrel. This photo is from a few years ago but just happens again. Simone the Red-tailed Hawk hadn't eaten her mice in a few days when I spotted a half eaten squirrel in the corner.  The (Rodent) Darwin Award. HA!!!!!


Friday, June 3, 2022

26 Days and Counting!

Remember that green tub from Halloween?! Filled with candy (and beer, from Ellen Condon!)