What State Is This?

California Quail are taking over, a call that resonates through the yard, reminiscent of a sound from a Tarzan movie or exotic place. They were introduced to the Bitterroot Valley south of here, no comment.

And health - I had some of the worst days so far, slept through the 4th with nary a firework observed. Two months of anemia now and second infusion treatment today. Fingers crossed that I "should start feeling better in a month." Up to three naps a day lately, what a waste of time.  Keep you posted.

Current "Project"

We are caring for a nest of baby American Kestrels whose nest tree was felled Tuesday night. One spilled out and the next morning all were received by a bird-lover neighbor. That female in the front has vastly improved since then, the one that spent the night out on the ground. Survivor. Her brothers all have different personalities, and we'll see about hacking them out here. That worked for a nest of Sharp-shinned Hawks five years ago. Check out the late July and August 2018 BLOGS!

Three Chicks!

The backyard nest fledged three chicks - 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2022.  One chick once, and the other years two, and skipped three years in a row starting in 2018. What a treat to walk to the spot after driving to Missoula constantly to photograph the East Missoula nest that fledged four! But that was for my book...

News

Cut to chase - my first infusion treatment for anemia was yesterday afternoon and I was told to repeat (next Friday) and I should feel better (not deathly ill) in one month. Patience....

And THEN (2019) - the Bald Eagle nest that was so visible from the river bank by the house for years, and NOW- nearly totally blocked by cottonwood limbs. I finally made it down there first time, and not again that's for sure. I am not ready for cross-country hiking with camera gear and this knee and anemia. But, two chicks at least that we could see all spring through the scope in the living room, a little well-placed gap in the leaves. See the beak? 

Road Warriors

Rooster Ring-necked Pheasants running down the road in front of the house, too funny.

Sorry for the lack of public programs, but have been out of it for nearly two months. Some reaction to anesthesia or medication for my knee surgery has triggered an anemic state and tomorrow I begin infusion treatments at Community Medical Center. I haven't been able to stay awake longer than 5 hours at a time, naps all day, and that's after sleeping 12 hours at night. What a waste of time...sure hope this works. I have stuff to do.

MAM-ologists

Our 20th year of "Raptors and Art Camp" at the Missoula Art Museum and a packed house of 7-12 year old artists. Bev Beck Glueckert and I host these Ornith-ologists for two days of sketching sessions with our live models, then the paper mache starts a'flyin'. Bev finishes the week with a printmaking experience as only she can provide- birds and the printing press. I always get a grande finale portrait, and see you next June, the week after school gets out! 

Watson Rules!

 That's what I wrote in their complimentary copy of Birds Are People, Too. I could look it up, but decades of spring trips by Watson Children's Shelter of Missoula, and each one a little different. Yesterday I explained how I loved animals when I was their age and began this raptor world with the Cincinnati Zoo, 50 years ago. "Older than dirt" I informed them, and a little boy said no way - his grandmother was 60 (spring chicken...)  A very refreshing hour with these delightful and informed children.

And still hoping for infusion treatments at Providence hospital for anemia. Instead sleeping most of the time, completely wiped out after a few hours of chores in the morning. I am waiting for that phone call!

Mike To the Rescue!

My "No Mow May" resulted in grass up to four feet deep in our front and back yards. With knee surgery I couldn't push the mower to start with, and looked like this job must be passed on to an expert. Enter neighbor Mike DeNeve from across the road where I fly Sibley, and wait for a gap in the rain. He did the whole yard and then some in just over an hour - would have taken me a week, if I could even get through that thick stuff. Doubtful. And so thankful!

Sorry again for having to cancel (postpone) the Five Valleys Audubon Tour. I was actually sleeping all afternoon, not a good day as I had feared, and better days on the way I hope.

Hey, Hummingbirds!

The Bullocks Orioles are taking over. 

And health update - awaiting more test results.  Procedures coming up are infusions at Community Hospital for anemia, currently a shortage of medication.  I have had a particularly awful week, forced to cancel our big Audubon field trip over here Saturday. The Raptor Ranch is my proudest enterprise and I haven't been unable to keep up maintenance, even things like trimming birds' beaks and erecting shade cloth, changing out perches. The tours can wait, and one bit of good news - my knee (remember that surgery 6 weeks ago?) is doing pretty well.

Mrs. White of Florence

One last little program for the nearly-1st-graders and Mrs. White was explaining the wayward Opossum of Nome Alaska, Grubby. A local celebrity, he hitched a ride on a shipping container from Washington State, check it out. We did a little presentation on "what skull is this?" the kids got them all with little coaching. Junior Zoologists. Have a great summer kids, and they promised they would spend it outdoors (all but one little boy, oh well.)

Whatever Could That Be?

But of course! Male Peregrine down at Metcalf the other day

 

Magpie Ranch

Seems like all the magpie nests have fledged young in the last few days. I have lost track of how many nests, and 5 or 6 young in this tree by the office yesterday. They will beg for up to month, young recognizable by shorter tails and blue eyes, pink mouth linings- for begging! How they all fit in that domed stick nest, growing for 28 days, is a mystery to me. Must be a relief to "escape" but then it's a dangerous world out there. 

MTPR

Jazz Sessions with Annie Garde (and a half dozen visitors in the studio) and our favorite record. Just kidding - this is by far the worst from the big  collection at my Mom's, wonder where that came from?  We started with Ahmad Jamal "Poiciana" on LP,  then Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander, Bill Evans. Guitars with Wes Montgomery and Brothers, Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall, even Brazil 66, Stanley Turrenteen,  and a little Miles, "Porgy and Bess." What fun.     Trip home and went to bed, big day for me as still feeling really ill and new tests at the hospital next week.  

Thursday, June 1

I've had this day circled on my calendar forever, as a guest host on Montana Public Radio's Jazz Sessions with Annie Garde, 2 pm MST and left of the FM dial. I had tentatively cancelled due to my illness and one month today. Annie offered to spin my chosen discs but think I'll try to tough it out. Should be the most fun I've had this spring! Mischa was listening to some Jim Hall yesterday, lots of surprises, a couple of LP's and several with vocals.