Playing catch up~

I seem to have fallen WAY behind on this blog again so I am taking a few minutes here to play catch up.

First lets get an update on Tim~

Looks like "Tim" was actually a Tim-ette..

Oops!

Timette is doing very well. The photo below is her with her big girl tail feathers from the flight barn last summer.

Tim has been placed with and educational organization in California where she will have the wonderful opportunity to teach humans about red tails, and raptors in general..

(Aren't those *red* tail feathers just fantastic?)

Now on to Scooter~

Scooter grew up into a beautiful bird,(photo below)

and was successfully released back into the wild about a month ago.

( I know, shame on me for not getting photos, or posting earlier~

I will try to do better next time*wink*)

~Update~

Great News~

Scooter was spotted about a week after the release happily feeding on a cotton tail rabbit.

As for the present~

I trapped a new *falconry* bird last week.

I have not taken any photos yet. I am still working on manning the bird down and don't want to cause any more trauma than necessary~

but will post ASAP.

~bird is just too camera shy at the moment.

I am drawing a complete blank on a name for this particular red tail. So I have decided to ask my creative and faithful blog readers to help me choose a name this time. What do you say gang? any suggestions?

Total Freedom

F5.6~ISO400~1/60

Update on Ollie. In the short amount of time that I was able to care for Ollie, he grew amazingly fast, his feathers grew in beautifully. He was really strong and was darting around the mew amazingly well. I had served him a few live grasshoppers and mice and he didn't have any problem at all fending for himself, therefore I saw no reason at all to keep him any longer. I took him out to the pre arranged place and thought that I would be able to set up and take a few pictures of the "release" I was really excited as well as a bit anxious, hoping that he would do ok. Well, it was the most perfect and successful release, the little twerp did not even pause to look back and say thank you, see you later, nothing. He took off like a rocket and streatched his little wings and tried out his acrobatic talents. To quick for me to even think about captureing any photos. When he was tired out he lid about 200 yards across the canyon on the top of a rock bluff. We watched for a while and later in the day Ollie was seen hunting grass hoppers or lizards (not sure which) I am thrilled and confident that he will be just fine. It is always a bit scary to me when there is a release, but this little guy was definately ready to go. I have not "seen" him sence but have heard the distinctive kee kee kee of a kestrel a few times. ~

Introductions

Photo taken 7/12/2008~F6.3~ISO400~1/250

I would like to introduce you to two of the beautiful babies that have come to live at

Ironside Bird Rescue.

This first beauty(grin) is named Scooter. It is a baby Red Tail Hawk, still mostly covered in down, strange for the middle of July. I guess this one is what you would call a late bloomer. The wonderful people that found Scooter reported that every year they find the babies dead on the ground below the nest. This year they were lucky enough to find Scooter, alive and well, but quite hungry. Scooter is getting stronger and stronger every day but refuses to stay on the nest platform and climbs up the side of the rock wall that is in the mew(hawk house). Scooter is exhibiting a healthy appetite and growing stronger each day. We have him/her housed in a secluded area so that he/she does not become habituated to humans, that would not be good for this bird, or any bird's future. Even as soft and adorable as they are, it is important that we as humans don't become attached and jeopardize giving them the best chance of survival that we can. (I know, But they are so darn cute!!) That is why I have decided to photograph the progress of these two adorable little ones and share their stories here, online. I am excited and looking forward to the day when these two are flying and hunting free, back in the wild where they belong.

Photo taken7/12/2008~F5.6~1/250~ISO400

Ollie is a baby Kestrel. The smallest of the falcon family. Ollie is so small and adorable. Just look at those big beautiful dark eyes. He also was found on the ground, and unable to be returned to the nest. His feathers are almost all in now, you can still see a little bit of his baby fluff on the top of his head and a little on his wings. But Ollie is flying quite well. He is eating like a little pig and getting plenty of exercise. It won't be long before Ollie will be ready to go on his way, he just needs to hone his hunting skills a little before he is ready to go.

Photo taken 7/10/2008~F5.6~1/60~ISO400

Tim~ a day in the sunshine

Wow, it has already been a month since I last posted on this page.. where does the time go??

A quick update on Tim. He has settled down nicely and I do believe that he is ready to move on to his new home and job in Raptor Education. He still has some small issues, (so do I/ hehe) but I am sure once he gets to his new home and settles in, the new handler will be able to train him to their routine and way of doing things. It has been raining here for almost a week now, but I was able to capture a few photographs one day a few weeks ago, when I brought him out to sit in the sunshine. He sure is a beautiful bird and I am sure that everyone will be just as enamoured with his as I am. I just love the intensity in his eyes! ~ Enjoy

progress

As I type these words, I sit here with this fabulous creature on my fist. He is beginning to become accustomed the feel of my hand in place of a limb or branch. I can feel his body starting to relax, and just when I think all is well and it is time to move on the the next step, he quickly changes his mind and will once again clamp down with his needle sharp talons on my hand. With each clench, I am grateful for the protective leather glove, and remind myself once again to check the seams. I can’t help but feel for this beautiful creature, every encounter he has had with man has been a negative experience. They don’t know that the people that rescue them did not cause the pain that got them in this predicament in the first place. They do not comprehend that the veterinary treatment that they have had to undergo was to help them heal, and ideally have the opportunity to be released back into the wild and beautiful land where they rightfully belong. Therefore, my time with them I have to show them the utmost patients and help them to see that I WILL NOT under any circumstances cause them pain. No wonder he looks at me as if I am an evil demon here to consume his soul. Each day I can see the confusion and then the understanding that crosses behind his eyes as I reward him for every small step that he takes toward finally trusting me. Each of these birds has so much personality and the rehab birds come with their own pile of issues to work through. We have already come a long way in the few days that we have been working together.

Red tail Hawk (Tim the Talon)

Last years kid, Tim is an absolute beauty. He is has already introduced me to his sharp talons! I guess I am getting slow in my old age..LOL!! I will keep you posted with photos as our work progresses....

Silent Cooperation

An unexplainable thrill courses through the human body when this fantastic symbol of Freedom turns to the call and voluntarily returns to the Falconer.

Soddy (1 of 4)

Soddy (2 of 4)

This young Red-tailed hawk fell out of its nest and ended up with a broken wing. Ironside bird rescue was contacted and the wing was repaired. I got the privilege of working with this little one once he healed.
We worked on conditioning the flight muscles and being sure that he was strong and skilled enough to hunt on his own once released. Taking this extra step helps to ensure this birds chances of survival once he is returned to his home in the wild. It did not take long before “Soddy” was flying well and chasing bunnies. For a while, he was pretty unsure of himself and his abilities to complete the task at hand. This picture was taken on a bright beautiful morning. The morning that I knew Soddy was fully capable of hunting for and feeding himself… Below his outstretched wings and tail feathers, buried in the fresh fallen snow, he holds in his talons “his” first meal and my hope for his future.

Soddy (4 of 4)

Hawk Bells

The unmistakable tone of the falconer’s hawk bells is a sound that gets into your soul, and even after years with out hearing it, no matter where you are, that unique tone can invoke a flood of memories that take you back in time.
The smell of sage and the feel of the wind on your skin, the sound of wings slicing through air, the excitement of the chase and the quickening of the blood.

The joy in a moment!

Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

These powerful raptors are virtual killing machines built for speed, endurance and aerial displays that easily put any of man’s flight technology to shame. The raptor’s ability to seemingly drop out of the heavens at breakneck speed, and recover itself only feet from the ground, while simultaneously striking and killing its prey is truly a feat man has yet to duplicate.

The red-tailed hawk is a hardy predator, although its body is built of a framework of thin hollow bones and the body is covered with soft feathers. This super predator can slam into a running rabbit at speeds exceeding fifty miles an hour and slice through brush with the efficiency of an arrow. Certainly, this majestic bird is a testament to nature’s diversity and magnificence.

So next time you hear the cry of a hawk on the wind, take a moment to look up and study the flight of this bird of prey and be glad they don’t hunt us.
Mike “Hawk” Huston

Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

“Beaker” was found injured and lost a portion of the top part of her beak. She was transported to Ironside Bird Rescue and the very capable hands of Susan, who treated her and nursed her back to health. Due to her age at the time of the injury, I worked with Beaker throughout the winter and early spring to rebuild the strength needed to survive once again in the wild. When she was flying well and her hunting abilities we up to par, Beaker was released… I hope that she does not suffer the same fate as before and is happily soaring the thermals somewhere over the open prairies.

Daily Exercises

My husband Mike, captured this photograph last winter

while we were out flying together.
This is only one memory that I will forever cherish.
Each and every day I am thankful,

I am thankful for where I live,

and to the Creator for the beauty that surrounds us.
I am thankful for my family,

my wonderful husband who never complains,

but stays patient and supportive of my dreams.

Our two boys that are growing to be wonderful young men.

I am thankful that they have been able to share in our hobbies and passions.

I cannot imagine that any of this would hold as much joy

without them there at our sides to share in each experience….

Thank You!!

Wind Beneath My Wings

It is such a beautiful and awe inspiring feeling each and every time I get to go fly with one of these fantastic birds. It touches me in a way that I am still unable to describe,
so at this time, I will just allow the pictures to do the speaking for me …