The Story of FREYJA

   It was a year ago today they found her, her life barely just began when it was abruptly cut short. So it seems fitting that I choose it to share her story now. It cannot be the long storied legacy of her parents but rather a much shorter version of her precious life.

   I waited a long time to name a falcon. It is the highest honor given to a falcon watcher to do so. I was afraid I might not get a chance as Beauty was getting up in her years and I so wanted to name one of my falcon mother's offspring. Then COVID hit in 2020 and the eyas were not banded so I decided to put it off. In 2021 it was still uncertain as to whether the eyas would be banded but I decided to risk naming one regardless. It tuned out I made the right choice as Freyja & Golden would be Beauty's last 2 offspring. 

   Her name was never in question. It had been in my head for several years and I had submitted it a couple of times for the naming contest as my female name choice. Freyja was a Norse goddess of love and fertility. She used a a falcon feathered cloak to travel between the mythological worlds, taking the form of a falcon. It seemed like a perfect name for a peregrine.

   Beauty laid 4 eggs in 2021. It was a rocky incubation period as an intruder attempted to take over the territory. Because of this stressful situation it took Beauty double the amount of time she usually takes between egg laying. Finally after some 114 hours the 2nd egg came followed by two more as things quieted down and the intruder moved on. Beauty and Dot.ca took turns at incubation with several stand offs along the way. On May 10th around 9:19pm the 1st egg hatched and on the 11th at 1:45pm just as DC arrived with food he witnessed the hatching of the 2nd egg. As for the other two eggs, one was thought not to be viable due to the stress Beauty had endured and had been pushed aside and the other egg cracked. 

   On June 2nd the eyas were banded by the DEC. Freyja received 33/BW black/green with no tape and her brother Golden received 32/BA  black/green with green tape. Banding has always been important I was so happy to finally have my girl officially banded and named.

   The eyas continued to thrive under the watchful eye of Beauty and the awesome hunting skills of DC. Freyja was a big girl with a big appetite and was always begging for food. As they started to explore their world 'wall walking' began as did the rise in watcher's blood pressure. Watching them run/hop along the wall with wings flapping is not for the faint of heart. This is a nerve racking time for watchers as we await the eyas taking to the skies safely. On Father's Day June 20th Golden fledged in the morning successfully and then flew back to the nest box to reunite with with Freyja. She loved being out on the north wall and leaning way over which made me so nervous. I was down on watch that day and all of a sudden she went off. I don't think she meant to it was more of an accidental fledge but she headed North and then circled back towards the TSB flying quite well. We ran out to look for her. It looked like she had landed on the back of the building but we couldn't locate her. Later that evening though watcher Joyce found her back there and she looked fine. But the next day she was nowhere to be found again. On Tuesday am the 22nd there was still no sighting of her but once again watcher Joyce located Freyja on the Ellwanger and Barry Building that pm. I was so excited that she was ok that I drove down to see her. I am so glad I did as that would be the last time I would lay eyes on her. She continued to do well and even landed up on the metalworks of the TSB wings the following day Wednesday the 23rd. But that would be the last sighting of her. Watchers continued to search but she was not to be found. I was down watching again on Sunday the 27th. It was hard watching Golden doing so well and knowing in my heart that something had happened to my girl.

   You never want to get the news that a falcon has been lost, especially if it is a falcon you have named.But after Freyja's disappearance I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her. Was her early accidental fledge to blame, was she just not quite ready to be in the skies. Is it better to know what happened to give some closure to such a loss. And then on July 12th I got just that closure as Carol texted me with the news that Feyja had been found. A security guard on the OCSR building had found her body on the top of the building where the old restaurant was. Her bands positively identifying her. She was recovered and returned to the DEC.

   I did what I always do, I went the place where I go to in happy times and in sad times. I grabbed a couple flowers from the garden and I went to the lake. And I poured out my pain to the place I love more than any other place. It takes whatever I need to give it without question. I played Eric Church 'Never Break Heart' on repeat in my car. In Dec. of 2021 I placed my 1st hide as a geocacher out on the Webster Park pier - Fly Free Freyja. Unfortunately I had to archive it in May of 2023 as it kept getting muggled but thanks to someone giving me an onshore space I was able to bring it back later that month. Fly Free Freyja Redux (GCA94VJ) is placed in her memory.

   My beautiful girl only touched the skies for a few short days. But she touched my heart forever. She will always have half of it. Fly Free Freyja. I will love you always.

* This blog was originally written on June 22,2022 but was never officially published. After a few additions it is now official.

Update: Tiercel with a Bright White Chest - We Have Closure

    Although peregrines have adapted to a life in the city it is in many ways much more dangerous than their natural cliffside habitat.The glass covered skyscrapers & traffic congestion being the two most deadly for them. DC knew the Rochester skies well as he had been flying over them since 2012. He had only migrated once early on and so was used to the harsh upstate NY winters. But he was now a senior falcon approaching his 12th year. I had wanted to believe he had migrated this past winter as it would have explained his absence. But in my heart I really doubted it. 

   On the 18th of May we got an answer to his disappearance. While on a 911 call at the old Rochester Riverside Hotel firefighter Neal & his partner found a deceased peregrine falcon on a lower roof. They did some research and realized we were missing one and contacted Rfalconcam. Our DEC contact, Amy Mahar, was notified and she came to Rochester. She was able to confirm that the deceased falcon was indeed Dot.ca, Black Band/13 over Y. 

   It appeared he had collided with the building and died instantly. I believe it may have been one of the blinding snowstorms with relentless winter winds that caused his demise. I would like to thank the firefighters for taking the time to give us answers we needed for closure. The DEC has been asked to bury DC together with his beloved Beauty and I thank them for agreeing to. Now they fly high and free together and will never be forgotten. 

Tiercel With a Bright White Chest: The Story of Dot.ca

   I wanted to believe DC had just migrated now that he is in his senior years and would be returning any day. He had migrated once before in the 2012 winter season and returned the following March on St. Patrick's Day. Every day I've searched the camera views for a bright white speck of hope announcing his return. But the day of luck came and went without him making an appearance. He may not have survived the migration or possibly he did not make it through one of the harshest winters we've had in quite some time with the snow, wind and cold temperatures. While we'll never know for certain what happened he did not return. And so it is with great sadness that I believe our beloved DC whom I affectionately called Dot is gone forever from the Rochester skies. 

   DC hatched in May of 2010 on the 18th floor of the Sun Life Financial Center in downtown Etobicoke, Ontario, CA to parents Angel & Jack. He had 2 other male siblings, Blackberry & Mercedes. He fledged successfully and needed to be rescued once from a balcony. It was a rather stressful nesting season as Jack was attempting to manage 2 different nest sites, something DC would inherit from him.  

   In April 2012 DC showed up in Rochester in the midst of several traumatic events. Beauty had been severely injured in a battle with Unity and after being rescued was in rehab. Unity had claimed the Times Square nest box and was close to laying a egg when Archer appeared with injuries to his legs and then was not seen again. Alone with her egg Unity begins mating with DC. I didn't want to like him. I felt he was responsible for the loss of my father falcon Archer. Falcon watchers know that feeling, your head knows it is the falcon way but your heart isn't quite there yet.

   In yet another twist of fate Unity is struck and killed by a car the on same day as Beauty returns to Rochester after being released from Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Not knowing the events that have transpired both Beauty and DC claim the Times Square box as their own. DC attempts to drive her out with continuous dive bombing but she isn't going anywhere. Finally after 3 weeks they are seen bowing and eventually mating takes place. Beauty lays her first 2 eggs with DC. On June 20th 2012 one of the eggs begins to hatch while DC is sitting on them. He is quite surprised to see his newborn eyas. Orion the miracle pefa is banded on July 13th becoming the 1st of Beauty and DC's offspring. The firstborn of a legacy that will last for years to come. For the next 9 years DC and Beauty will rule the Rochester skies. Together producing 31 offspring over those years in clutches of 3 to 4 eyas.  DC also mates with Pigott at the BS sight and then after she moves on another female that takes up residence there following in the footsteps of his dad Jack.

   DC was an amazing hunter and great provider. He loved sitting on his eggs and there was often quite the standoff when Beauty returned and he didn't want to budge from them. These standoffs could last for quite some time with much vocalization between them until Beauty either kicked him off or on occasion gave in and let him stay. He also loved to feed the eyas once they hatched. When Beauty let him help with the feedings he often indulged himself as well and it was hilarious to watch. As the eyas grew Beauty & DC would do tandem feedings which were always fun to watch especially when the girls were outgrowing DC in size. As the eyas near fledge Beauty & DC would do flybys attempting to coax them off the ledge. After fledge they were busy teaching them the ways of the falcon and learning how to hunt. DC would usually be in charge of teaching the boys and took them on day trips as they got more experienced.

   Memories flood my mind of Dot.ca and I will be forever glad I have them. DC and Beauty next to each other on a on a ledge on OCSR. DC watching over his territory from high atop the Times Square Building. And DC delivering a meal to Beauty on the Mercury statue. This tiercel with a bright white chest will be missed but not forgotten. His legacy lives on. Fly free Dot.ca.

Braveheart

NOTE

I was nearly finished with this story last week when we lost Beauty and struggled to finish it but hope I have it justice even in this time of great loss.

 

To Freyja

 To Freyja

I dreamt of you long before your hatch.

The name I chose for you befitting of a peregrine.

A Norse goddess wearing a cloak of falcon feathers.

As I watched you grow I nervously awaited your time to fly wild and free.

To soar the skies above the city your parents rule.

But it was not meant to be.

Fate somehow interrupted your destiny.

And your short life was no more.

And now as I watch your brother Golden learn the way of the falcon.

My eyes leak and my heart breaks at the thought of what might have been.

But I will never forget you. 

Fly free my precious girl.

All my Love, 

Braveheart

6.30.21

The Story of Sir Laredo Bam Bini

  It has been a year today since my precious boy passed away and so it is time to tell his story. I had 13 wonderful years with him and although he had his quirks like an insatiable appetite for plastic and Parmesan cheese I loved every minute of it.
  The first part of this story is taken from the original story I wrote in 2001 after I found him and is about how he got his  formal name and I am leaving it the original way I wrote it then with the original title :

**Be careful what you pray for because you’ll always get what you really need

           I had been kind of down the past month of May mainly due to my car situation. It seems that Ester Lou, my 92 Geo Metro, is ready for car heaven. With my prospects for financing looking grim, it is a big concern to me. So I have been praying for a car.

            Them, on Wednesday May 30th, I opened my door to go down and put my laundry in the dryer. There in the hall stands this tiny little adorable kitten. I don’t know where he came from; I had overheard someone talking in the hallway earlier and think they must have dropped him off there. I yell for Timothy and within minutes kitten is inside our apartment, of course Timothy is instantly in love with him.

            I immediately looked up and said “Lord I said car not cat.” Could He have misunderstood me? Was His hearing as bad as mine I wondered? I knew of course that this was not the case, God always knows what He’s doing better than I do.

            I tried to be standoffish at first, adamant that we were not going to keep her. However God knows my heart better than that, slowly and surely he was winding his little ball of fur around my soul.

            Of course he is a little monster. Tearing all over the place and biting everything in sight-teething we think. When he finally gets exhausted, he plops down on top of you purring his little heart out.

            So what could I do but keep him, after all God had put him right in from of my door so there must be a reason for it.

            And his name? Why its Laredo of course. A current Country single about a guy trying to win back his girl.

Oh oh Laredo

Don’t let her go

Just take her by the heart

And let the wheels turn slow

Oh oh Laredo

You’re my only hope

Just get her back

To the day we met, cause

That’s as far as she needs to get

            And so he is my Laredo- restoring my soul with faith, hope, joy, and peace. Thank you God for giving me what you knew I needed most.

            And to that poor lost soul who left her in my hallway-you are forgiven. Although you may not have had the best of intentions, God always does. Go in peace!

  So there he was, a kitten named Laredo that I tried very hard not to love at first. Having just separated the year before and being in the midst of a divorce I didn't want to let anything into my heart . But I couldn't help myself, after all I am a lover of all things animal. And so into the apartment he came and he would make it his domain. And the Bam Bini, Italian for baby , influenced by the 3 years we lived there and he was most definitely mine  He was also called Bam Bam by his vets as they thought he was named after the Flintstones character. But a royal cat he was and with much character to boot.

   After finding him in the hallway, I heard from neighbors that people in the other building connected to mine had been evicted for breeding cats that same day. So that explained where he had come from but why did they leave only him. And then the first time my cousin saw him she said you have a cat there I have seen at cat shows, a Turkish Van. So I read everything I could on this breed and he was a perfect match except for one thing. The breed standard is an all white body with a colored tail & coloring on the head. But Bam Bini also had 3 colored spots on his body. And although I saw several photos of Vans with colored body spots I think the breeders thought he would be less valuable and that is why he was dropped in my hallway. He had no undercoat but had a much thicker winter coat which he would shed in the Spring. He also had a fondness for water and did not mind getting wet and always much preferred drinking from the sink. And he grew into that magnificent tail, the large breed cat he surely was.

   He was never big on toys but he loved a couple, one being a golf ball he played with only in the bathroom. I would wake up hear him playing golf at night. And the other being a  spider toy I found,. He actually pulled all 6 legs off the first one and I think I bought two more. He grew up with my Diamond dove pair and I trained him not to get on their cage with a cafeteria tray that would tip if he stepped on it. Tim taught him two things he never forgot, first to open the balcony screen door with his paw if he wanted to come in and 2nd, when he shook the coin purse of quarters it was time to race down three flights of stairs to the laundry room. The only problem was getting him to come back up the stairs. He wasn't the most affectionate of cats but he did like to be scratched behind his ears. And lapsitting required caution since he might just decide to bite after a few minutes. But I loved him with all of my heart.
   There were  a couple of scares over the years like the time he ate rubber bands & we nearly lost him. But the vet was able to flush his stomach and saved him. I never allowed another rubber band in the apartment. And he got very sick after grabbing a huge hunk of cheese off the table and trying to eat it all at once which required meds from the vet. But he was a generally healthy cat up until the end albeit he had litter box issues from time to time. It was difficult watching him decline in his last year. His appetite just wasn't what it once was and he lost a lot of weight. I took him up to the vets at one point thinking it was time but they wanted to try a couple more treatments. Unfortunately that did not help and the vet thought he probably had cancer in his gut somewhere. And so I took him back to the vet and stroked him gently as he crossed over the Bridge. They were very kind and let me stay with him as long as I wanted. I had him cremated and now his ashes are in a beautiful wooden box. I made a special photo album of pictures of him throughout the years. I will never forget this special cat that came into my life at just the right time and I know someday he will be waiting for me.

Editors Note: This story was originally written August 1,2015

Peace*Love*Community

Dear MOD’s,

Thank you for giving me the time off I needed this past week. During those days I read and saw much on Facebook both good and bad. And it became clear in my head and my heart what direction I needed to take with this group. I created this group almost 6 years ago because I was removed from another owl group after speaking up in defense of others. I needed a place to go and a place others could go as well. A place of refuge. I said I would allow anyone to join the group as long as they followed my only rule which was to be nice to each other. It was difficult at first, there were friends of mine that refused to join because I had allowed someone they didn’t like join the group. But I persisted and I kept my word. And the group grew. It started out with MOD’s I knew from the social stream, then MOD’s from chat & SPO joined as well. As time went on friends new to owls also joined. A group of people bound together by their love for owls. During these nearly 6 years there have only been 2 times I’ve had to remove someone because they weren’t following my rule which I think is a pretty good record. I admit the farther away we’ve gotten from those Molly & McGee days the harder it has seemed to keep the group going. Groups have become very popular in the last few years and I think people often get overwhelmed by them. But I have persisted even as seems at times there are very few of the 300 plus members interested. Last fall at the International MOD Meet in Minneapolis I met my friend Sylvia Oey and she asked me why I kept the group going. I believe my reason today is the same as I told her then. If I managed to make just one person’s day by making them laugh or smile or get their mind off all those other things out there then it was worth it. Yes it can be a lot of work at times and sometimes I get discouraged. Take the latest fall coloring contest for example, I gave a month and a half to enter thinking that would create more entries and yet there were only 5. I admit I was disappointed and I still owe the winners their prizes. I considered whether it was time to end the group after that and then I heard about Susan Shepler Blum, who was a group member and had committed suicide. She had suffered from depression & anxiety for many years. I don’t know if she looked at any of the group posts or if it would have made any difference but I wanted others in the group to know they mattered. I wanted them to know if they felt down or sad or lonely that we MOD’s were here for them because it speaks to the very core of what I was trying to do those almost 6 years ago. A place of refuge. And then to this past week which has been most difficult for me. I found myself struggling to reconcile my activity outside this group with my activity inside this group. I did not want to make mistakes with this most treasured place so I told you I needed to take a break and not post. I didn’t know how long it would take but after 2 days things became clear to me on the direction I needed to go with this group. Despite differences we all may have this must remain a place of refuge I still need a place to go - a place of peace, a place of love, a place of community

Editors Note: This was originally written in Nov. 2016

November 15, 2016

   I lay face down on the ground defeated

Surrounded by a cloud of sadness thick as fog

A deep grief of shattered hopes I held onto

I was certain it was a bad nightmare I would wake from

But a week has gone by now and I know better

I take in a breath of fresh air and cherish it

How much longer before it will be stifled by pollutants

The nature that I love faces grave danger

Will the future generations witness a falcon soar in a blue sky

and an owl in its silent flight on a moonlit evening

Or will they become stuffed exhibits only to be seen in a museum

Many families will now live with the threat of of being torn apart

Simply because of the partner they choose to love

Or the county they have fled from for a better life

I worry about the life saving health care

That may soon be taken from myself and many others

And as a woman how can I not help but wonder

How it become acceptable to treat us with such disrespect

As objects of desire rather than competent equals

How did hate and bigotry and bullying win out

I must find the answers with my actions

My weapons are just out ahead of me

I reach through the pain to grab hold of them

Strength, courage, love, peace, loyalty

Slowly I stand and gather them into my quiver

This battle will be long and hard fought

But I do not fear because I am am not alone

I have a nation of pantsuits standing with me

We must prevail because retreat is not an option


Braveheart