Another New School

That makes 142 schools (so far) and yesterday over at the old Jefferson School, 67 students aged 5-10 enrolled in TEACH. And a unique audience as half of them are refugees from all over and I referred to my handy globe in the office: Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Myanmar. WOW! First was a program with Sib, Simon, Billie and Taiga the Rough-leg, then a sketching session for the older kids. I told them I used to live in Cameroon, West Africa and one little clap for that...what a day!

4th Grade Rules!

Here is a panorama shot by my favorite teacher, Kevin Cashman and our umpteenth program for Chief Charlo 4th grade. Then they come visit the Raptor Ranch, big day here and sometimes a quick walk to the river to spy on the eagle nest, then Metcalf Wildlife Refuge. Now that's a field trip.

See 'Em?

My first Peregrine outing of the season with Jay Sumner and first heard, then spotted the two falcons at Chamberlain Creek up the Blackfoot, distant photos. Always a treat! Then another at Bonner, two cliffs in between empty, just for now (we hope) 

April Showers...

On the Penguin and Pheasant sculptures and new Falconhouse. Last evening, dumping'!

They're Back

Wood Ducks, too. They love our little pond in the front of the house and we love them. The true native birds at the feeder alongside side the Ring-necked Pheasants, California Quail, and Eurasian Collared Doves. 

Sandhill Cranes

First heard them on St. Patricks Day for a split second, then several more times as their call travels as far as two miles. Finally spotted a couple yesterday, hurray!

Return Today

"I'm baaaack!" At least we think it's the same Osprey at my neighbor Kathy and Terry's. Early girl, always the female first, determined by the dark "necklace" of feathers, and the last two years on March 23rd. And also both years no young, as the pair abandoned the nest nearly right away last year, perhaps found a better spot. Kathy wonders if it may be due to the new house just to the south. And hey, you House Sparrows! Scram. Anyway, we'll keep an eye and fingers crossed! 

Tim, Miller Barns...

 ...Loves Sibley the Peregrine! He told me to park by the hitching post (for horses!) 

406 Woman Magazine Story

 Just out this week and 10,000-16,000 printed copies + on line flip-book https://issuu.com/406woman/docs/406_woman_march_april_2025_lifestyle/14  Me So Proud.

Miller Barns to the Rescue

I knew we had to move a bunch of birds with the neighbor's new warehouse, and thought of the buildings by Miller Barns! I was standing front of a gorgeous greenhouse talking to owner Tim Schrock on the phone. "Can you make it 16 feet long, slanted roof, divided in half, doors on either end?" SURE and two weeks later, the new Falconhouse delivered/installed south of the driveway. Awesome, new pals!

Before/After 2

 

Relocation

 In o  In our 25^th year at the Raptor Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley, we have undergone a huge facelift this month. Changes in the neighborhood have required us to relocate half our birds, two to the southern side of the property in a new building after the quiet solitude they enjoyed their entire lives. We have new neighbors and their 80 foot warehouse built by the enclosures.There is a solution thanks to an awesome local business and news on the way.        Before/After

Big Day

We started the afternoon with a visit from our favorite high school science teacher, Vanessa Haflich and her Hamilton senior class. It was our 6th year in a row we guessed (bet I could look that up) and lucked out between snow squalls. Then a trip to Missoula for a Board Meeting that we decided was the opposite of a Bored Meeting. Big news on the way.

  

Quail, Too!

 I keep hearing the name of a place I lived as a kid, "Chicago! Chicago!" and it's all the California Quail in the yard. Beginning of breeding season for these non-native, introduced, everywhere-birds. That's what their call sounds like, but actually we lived in Glenview, Illinois - 1965 or so.

Song Sparrows Singing!

 

Another

Here's another shot from the program last week for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or MOLLI, U of M. They gave me a little round of applause when I announced I just got my Medicare card - they are all over 50!

 

MOLLI Program

Two hours at the University of Montana Tuesday, Nigel the Golden Eagle and Sibley the Peregrine there 10 years ago. Also Portia and Little Billie our great owls!

 

Just Now

 

GBHeron

Our friendly neighborhood Great Blue Heron at the slough yesterday for the dog walk.

Wait! That's a BIRD Feeder!

 

Looking Out the Kitchen Window

A log Pile, A Pigeon loft, a metal Penguin, and Perfect icicles.

Rehab City

Starting at age 13, in the spring I raised and then released orphaned raccoons and red and grey foxes with the Cincinnati Zoo Jr. Zoologists Club. That fox jumped up on the barbecue grill and swiped a marinated half-chicken when my Dad's boss was over for dinner. Years later when I was 16 (the first time I was allowed to drive by myself) I picked up a baby skunk from photographer Karl Maslowski. It sprayed in the air conditioner in the basement, missing our collie dog Cyrano upon arrival at the house in 100+ degrees/humidity. Yes, Katy was in trouble a bunch.

Raccoons

Discovered these tracks of a big ole raccoon out enjoying the balmy temps at the slough by the house on my Saturday walk with the dogs. 

 

Heat Wave!

Sib finally spent a night outside, and with a 100 red bulb over her "bed," nice and warm with temperatures approaching 31°F today. Currently back to normal for three falcons and one owl. And their caretaker.

Inside on her carpet this week:

Flashback: 2010

Four birds in the house and currently -17 °F, whew. Thay are all so well behaved - Sib, Mischa, and Sonora the falcons on perches and Little Billie the owl in a kennel. I was reminded of the time Jay Sumner and I were flying our Peregrines on the Rocky Mountain Front, Skip Tubb's ranch. At dawn I attached the transmitters back at Skip's house in near-by Choteau then opened the back of the Subaru for Sibley to chase a Sharp-tailed Grouse. Instead she flew to the nearest perch, pulled up a foot, and thumbed her nose at us. -17 °F.  Can you blame her?

Monotype

On a big type-set printing press years ago, with pastels.

 

MAM Auction Extravaganza!

The Missoula Art Museum celebrated their 50th anniversary with the Solid Gold Benefit Auction last night, awesome fun. My etching "Sharp-shin" sold and my 1/2 of the proceeds pays off the "new" printing press, gift from Cindy Knutsen. This Richeson Press was missing the bed plate, and now ready to rock & roll when it warms up, as it is in the unheated studio. 19 inches wide so big monotypes in my brain!

Feminist Bird Club of Northwest Montana

Bird-loving friends slipped in a tour just before the blizzard season, last Sunday and fun. We all came inside and I was describing how three birds were in here for a week, mostly nights, subzero temps. One gal pointed over in the corner, "Look,  a feather!" I could stuff a pillow with all the falcon and quail feathers in that room. Cracked me up and should have been there when I put Sibley back outside that morning and busted out the vacuum cleaner for our guests.

Snow Day

Snowblower for me, and expert plowing by pal Mike DeNeve, THANKS. And advice by Tom, eagle in the yard.

"12 inches to a foot" of SNOW

Five eagles in the yard just now, four Bald Eagles and Nigel the Golden. The youngsters were flying all around hoping for some beef scraps in our enclosure by the river. Nope, outa luck kids.

Blizzard Country

Might be stuck here for a few days, oh well. We had to postpone one school program scheduled for this morning, now in two weeks. A new school for us!
                                     

All the ART!

Here is a summary of the art for the last year. Mostly dry-point etchings and last one top row is in the Missoula Art Museum Auction, "Sharp-shin." Bid is at $400 right now. The mammals except for the fox are Claybord, "Red Fox" the latest and started a Snowy Owl but keep getting majorly distracted by calamities, news on the way.

Yesterday at the River

 

Sharpie

Sharp-shinned Hawk in the larch tree in the front yard, a dozen Eurasian Collared Doves parked behind not too concerned.

Pair 'O Red-tails

Male, female below. FUN!
 

Just Now

 Four Swans, Two Bald Eagles and Two spoiled dogs.

-10 °

Last year we enjoyed the company of 4 birds in the house for a week with negative twenty-something degrees. Last night those same 4 were inside with negative ten - Sibley relaxing on her carpet, Mischa the Peregrine and Sonora the Aplomado on perches, and Little Billie the Saw-whet in a big kennel. Whew, what great birds and and glad I stocked up on newspapers (thanks, Star Jameson!)

https://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org

 

Super 1 Parking Lot

In Stevensville near-by, an interesting resident Common Grackle, apparently there for months! What's up with that? And a nice parking situation a few years ago...HA!

This Morning

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