Ali Wins

My photo of Tim Cavey's beloved dog made the cover of the calendar,  crossing our little bridge!  

Warmth

The rest of the wood cut from the pile by pal Ryan, then tucked the splitter away...for now! Unfortunately a bunch of spruce hidden under the fir and larch, oh well. Works for now.

 

Today's Eagles, Clouds and Mose

 

Sibley's Last Program

 Just a week before her death Sibley the Peregrine was invited to a gathering at long-time Raptor Backer Ken Siebel's home in Stevensville. She and Wes the kestrel, Portia the Barred and Billie the Saw-whet Owls had a great visit with his guests, including Henry Kerst and his mom Stephanie, Ken's secretary. I received this card in the mail with a note from  8 year-old Henry: "I am sorry about Sibley, but glad I got to see her."💙💙💙 And glad to meet the Kerst family. Ken was staring at Sibley wide-eyed and remembering her flying at his ranch 20 years ago, one time chasing a heron in play.  R.I.P. Sib.

Firewood Today!

Thanks Ryan Hollingsworth, John Hoeman and Tom!

 

Mose and Nico

 

Our Heron Today

 

Ravalli Republic

And all the newspapers across the state. Thank Jessica Abell for the story!

Red-tail Today

GREAT Five Valleys Audubon program on Monday night, glad I did't cry and thanks friends.  Ravalli Republic reporters with Jessica Abell over today so a big story in all the papers in the state, "Sibley's Legacy." David Sibley of field guide fame for whom she was named wrote a nice email saying, "She was a great bird and I was honored to share her name." And a Red-tail today.

Fall Colors Heron, Today

 

Powerpoint

Sonora the Aplomado was giving me advice on my Powerpoint for Monday's Audubon meeting. Just for a second on that perch, as she has a favored spot on the book cabinet (with newspaper below.) Boy, this "slideshow" is loaded with past birds, programs, books and art. And the recent dramatic changes at the Raptor Ranch, including bird behavior - poor Mischa the Peregrine is terrified to leave her new enclosure. I'm working on Plan B and have a Plan C and D....

My Heron Gal

 

Five Valleys Audubon Program, Monday

Monday, Oct 13th, 7 pm, U not M,   Interdisciplinary Sciences Building

Almost Forty Years of Raptor Programs (and Other Projects)     

    Raptors of the Rockies Director Kate Davis will present a retrospective look at a life with birds and the remarkable education program that began in 1988. Through an action-packed PowerPoint, we’ll learn how she got started and has inspired adults and children by sharing her stories and captive raptors, meet the birds through the years, explore the facilities, and discuss the new ranch transformation and challenges for 2025. We’ll also discuss her other projects like photography, writing and illustrating seven books, and creating artwork from welded sculptures to etchings. The All-Bird Channel. Kate will have raptors stars along, Peregrine and Golden Eagle that were here last Raptors of the Rockies Five Valleys Audubon meeting 14 years ago, plus owl favorites. We’ll try to fit all this in an hour, folks.

    Years ago Kate remembers someone at her 1000^th education program shouting, “See you at number 2000!” That seemed inconceivable, at the time, but she is getting close. Kate acquired the proper federal and state permits back in 1988 when located at a rental property in Clinton. The Raptor Ranch in Florence is on the banks of the Bitterroot, purchased in 2001. She designed and carpenters built all new enclosures for the non-releasable and falconry birds - falcons, hawks, eagles and owls. This “Teaching Team” accompanies her all over the state for schools and the public, over 140,000 participants and 145 schools, plus PowerPoints across the country. And after the Audubon talk, as in every single program, we’ll all hoot up an owl as a finale.

 

 

    

Sibley Tribute

On the KPAX Television News  website.   https://www.kpax.com/news/western-montana-news/montana-morning-headlines-monday-october-6-2025

 

Projects

 One last grass mow, now taking down the shade cloth for the eagles, sure easier than putting it up. Then wind up the hoses, butcher 30 chickens and write a grant. I remember a woman years ago informing me, "All you do is feed your birds." HA!

Great Blue Heron

I love this bird and missed a shot of her catching a big fish because I didn't have my camera, an image that plagues me! Finally a photo after a few weeks of practically nothing. My friend Star commented, "Everything is so shaggy!"

New Art

Thanks to everyone for the Sibley the Peregrine condolences. I actually finished this drypoint etching that night after she passed, a late night, and for Sib. "Thistle Heron" Drypoint etching with gouache, pastels, pencils. 12" x 16" I hammered various round metal objects into the plastic background for the flowers. Experiment, as always.
                                        

Mose and Nico

Daily trip to the river and I remind them: You are Labrador RETRIEVERS.