My Farewell Poem to Orion 9.10.12 on the Social Stream

He came into our lives one June day
Gave his Daddy quite a fright along the way

We loved him from the very start
There was no doubt he stole many a heart

We watched him grow from fuzz to feather
And MAK was on duty no matter the weather

A fine young tiercel he came to be
And now he fly's wild and free

We'll miss him so
But will always know

Angel Egg is by his side
Forever meant to be his guide

Farewell Orion, our miracle pefa
We will never forget you

My fledge talk to Orion on the social stream 7/31/12

Well Orion sleep well little pefa
tomorrow the sky will call your name
and you will spread your wings and soar into it
It is time for you to fly
Do not be afraid, Angel Egg will be right there beside you
guiding you on your way
You are a miracle pefa 
and your story will be told for ages to come
In this year of triumph and tragedy
how your brave Mum and determined Daddy
got together and gave us the gift of you
You have brought us so much joy
and it has been a privilege to watch you
grow into the beautiful falcon you now are
So fly high and free, brave and strong,
and remember it's always right beside you 
because I believe in it

Thank you
From Braveheart

Molly

  

 I have hesitated to write this story of Molly for several reasons. After all what more can be said about the world's most famous barn owl that hasn't already.  She so touched the world that if a Nobel Peace Prize could be awarded to an animal she would be more than deserving. And I admit that even after we lost McGee I held out hope that once again that owl box magic would occur and a new male would come around and take up with our Molly. But magic only lasts for so long, those precious fleeting moments of time when it seemed the world around us stopped and all we could do was gaze at her. But it was Carlos latest blog, with the photo of the cams sitting there that made me realize the time had come. It was the finality of seeing them that sent tears streaming down my face because I knew it meant we would never again see her. And so I will try to tell her story as best I can from my heart that will forever love her.


  And how to describe our Molly. The way the sunlight would shine upon her, that marvelous speckled golden brown array of feathers. And her wonderful golden speckled chest such a contrast to McGee's almost pure white one. But it was her eyes, those deep black pools that seemed to look right into the soul, that made you feel like she knew exactly how you felt. Surrounded by the shape of a golden fringed heart, it was a face of pure love. There will never be any doubt she was the most beautiful owl we have ever seen.  


   Molly was mated for life to our beloved McGee, may he rest in peace. And it seemed a match made in heaven, these two owls so very much in love. Those timeless photo's  of their obvious affection towards one another priceless to us MOD's. The kissy kissy that we never tired of. Such a stunning couple they made  side by side in the owl box swaying in the breeze. Oh how we loved to watch them.


   Molly was Mother to those two precious clutches we watched. And our eyes were glued to every moment of her raising the those owlets. The tenderness and and care she displayed was a beautiful sight to behold. Keeping them warm and safely tucked under her as they grew. Tearing prey into bite size bits for the tiny owlets until they were able to shred it for themselves. We saw her gently clean Carey's eyes when we were all concerned over his vision. And in her most unbelievable display of parenting we watched as she gently removed the shell from Jody as she hatched. Molly taught us so much about owl behavior with her young. And she taught us love.


   Molly was mate, mother and she was so much more. Friends often say they can't describe what it means to be a MOD to others. And I know what they mean, after all how can one tell about something so  amazing, so  inspiring that it defy's description. But we MOD's know. Those magical owl box moments that will never be forgotten. We could never get enough of them. We have the songs, the photo's , and the memories. We have the the laughter and the tears. They are the common threads that bind us together and will hold us together for years to come. And it is all because of a common barn owl named Molly.

  So wherever her journey has now taken her we wish her well.  May she live long and fly free. She has left us with her legacy and a magic feather to hold onto.

Tiercel With a White Feather: The Story of Archer

Although this story has had its title for quite some time I
have waited to write it, hoping I think for answers and an outcome that did not happen. And although it may always have an unfinished ending I feel like now is the time to write it as I remember it. And so here it is from my heart that loved him so, Archer's story.

Archer and his Beauty

Archer was my first male bird of prey, my first tiercel before I even knew what a tiercel was. And he was Daddy to my precious first eyas’s Jemison and Callidora. He was a wonderful provider for the two little ones and on guard duty while Beauty took her time out. Such a cute little man he was with those striped pantaloons and that most distinguishing feature, a single white feather on his right side. 2010 was a magical year for me as I watched him and Beauty raise their two eyas. I will never forget it.


2010 Archer feeding Jemison & Callidora

2010 Archer on guard

In 2011 I once again looked forward to another clutch from Beauty and Archer But as I would learn things do things do not always go as well. Beauty laid 3 eggs and I had high hopes of eyas but Archer started bonding with another female out at KP. She was eventually ID’ed as Unity. Due to the stress of the situation and other contributing factors none of the eggs hatched. It was a very disappointing year to say the least.

5.6.11 Archer on eggs

5.7.11 Archer rolling eggs

As 2012 dawned I was full of high hopes for the coming year and eagerly awaiting the return of that special little man from his winter vacation. But just as the season was about to get started Unity decided she wanted the prime location and a territorial battle left Beauty injured and in rehab. It was not the start I had envisioned. With Unity now in control of the territory and making herself at home in the nest box I waited on Archer’s return and prayed for Beauty to heal. Due to the warm spring it was expected he might arrive even earlier than last year but he came in on March 14th actually a few days later. And oh how I was overjoyed to see him and his white feather. He seemed a bit confused at first about the situation. Why was Unity now in his penthouse location and where was his Beauty ? He even went out to KP to check things out as if maybe Beauty might have gone there. But she was not there and Unity was at the nest box and so in a couple of days they began to bow and mate. It is the way of the falcon. And things appeared to be going well until a tragic turn of events on March 26th. As watchers online looked on in horror Archer came onto the deck and plopped down looking very much in distress. He somehow managed to get into the nest box and Unity flew in and there was that moment she looked down at him with such tenerness and concern. She melted my heart that day and I will always love her for loving him. Archer was not able to stand and it appeared his legs were injured but he managed to take off and fly to the Wilder building. Then he flew again and could not be located. Our amazing crew of watchers went into action. MAK and Joyce stayed downtown all night looking for him and even used a spotlight. Shaky used the pan cam to search the surrounding rooftops for any sign of him. He was eventually found the next day as he flew off the Bausch and Lomb building. Archer was seen several times over the next few days making shorts flights but he never returned to the nest box. He spent much of his time lying flat on the corner of the same building and occasionally popping his head up. Unity was seen near him and it was thought she was bringing him food. But when he was spotted in flight both his legs appeared to still be dangling. On March 29th Unity laid her first egg, she had tried to hold it in as long as possible but it was time. She appeared torn between tending to Archer and guarding her egg. On the 30th and 31st of March Archer was spotted lying flat on the corner of the Bausch and Lomb building. Archer was last seen on Monday April 2nd on his favorite place, the Mercury statue. He appeared to have a full crop. That same day another Canadian tiercel showed up in town who would later be ID'ed as Dot.Ca. It will never be known for certain if Archer left town on his own realizing he was unable to defend himself or if he was escorted out by Dot.Ca. Or is it possible he was just too weak by then to leave and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on a rooftop somewhere in downtown Rochester ? Maybe Unity is the only one who knew. Also on Monday April 2nd Beauty was released from the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Everyone expected her to head straight back to her territory and there was much concern over her and Unity battling again over it. But in yet another fateful twist of events on Good Friday April 6th, Unity was tragically killed by a car and just a few hours later Beauty arrived at the nest box. Archer would not be seen again.

3.14.12 Archer's return

Archer and Unity bowing 3.12

3.26.12 Archer comes to the deck injured

Unity concerned over her injured Archer 3.26.12

Unity alone with her egg 4.1.12

Last photo of Archer on Mercury (taken by MAK)

I will always believe in my heart that there should and could have been an attempt to rescue Archer. The DEC knew his legs were injured in some way, possibly from a collision with a building or wires or maybe some sort of infection from a battle wound. And our watchers knew his location on several occasions. It was said there could not be an attempt unless he went to ground, that a rooftop rescue might frighten him and cause further injury. And maybe it would have. We will never know. But I have to wonder if Archer's fate was determined simply by the fact he did not or was not able to go to ground. Beauty did and thank God for the person that found her, we still have her with us. Some have said that to rescue is to intervene, I say to rescue is to save a life. Some have said we must let nature take it's course. But then we would not be watching our Beauty sitting proudly on her clutch right now. I can't help but question the decision that was made about Archer. After all Archer was no ordinary falcon. Not only an endangered species, but also a descendent from a royal lineage. Grandson to Rochester's famed Mariah and Kaver with a legacy know to falcon watchers world wide. And as far as I know their only descendent to return to Rochester as the resident tiercel and raise a clutch. Was it not owed to him to at least try and help save him ?

After Unity was killed Dot.Ca continued for what seemed like weeks on end to pester poor Beauty. He did not understand the situation and neither did she. I lit candles and prayed for Archer's miraculous return. I dreamed of a falcon version of knight on a white horse. That a little tiercel with a white feather would swoop in and rescue his damsel in distress. But a miracle did not happen and he did not come home. And so the story ends without an ending, only what my heart feels, which is that Archer did not survive. I truly believe if he had healed and if he had been able he would have come back to his territory, to look for his Beauty and his Unity. If someday I am proven wrong and someone looks up in the sky and says "there he is , a tiercel with a white feather" It will be the happiest of days. Until then Godspeed Archer, may you fly free wherever you are. I will love you always.

Braveheart

Triumph and Tragedy : A Tale of Two Peregrines

She showed up last April out at the old Kodak Park site and was first known as 'Lady Pefa'. I was eagerly awaiting Beauty & Archer's 2nd clutch and not paying much attention to her. But then came the shocker - her male counterpart was none other than Beauty's Archer.  In early May she was finally I.D.ed as 'Unity', a pretty young thing who had seemingly caught Archer's eye. Her nest sight appeared to be nothing more than a pile of pigeon poop. Archer was flying back and forth between the two sites leaving Beauty alone for long periods of time. And she knew it, oh she knew and it was so very sad to watch her looking off in the direction of KP. And so it was at the end of May when none of Beauty's eggs had hatched that I admit I blamed Unity. There were other factors that could have contributed but it was Beauty's stressing over Archer's other woman that I believed - I did not want to like her. Unity also laid a clutch and although she was not very interested in them Archer spent more & more time with her. It was hard to watch. 2011 ended up being a very disappointing year here in Rochester with no hatches.
So the arrival of 2012 brought the promise of  new clutches but little did I know what awaited. It all started on Super Bowl Sunday when I saw a Rfalconcam FB post that Beauty was at the Nest Box. I got the cam up and there she was, quite upset about something in her territory but looking very beautiful and I was happy to see her. Archer would be home soon & I was looking forward to seeing him as well. I assumed that Beauty was just protecting her territory from some migrating falcons and didn't give it much thought at the time. But just days later Beauty was found on the ground by her favorite roosting spot near the Xerox tower, injured. She had been in a territorial battle and the suspect was none other than Unity. Unity had been downtown before and she had  been sent packing by Beauty last year after a scrap on the Kodak building which was photographed by a watcher who worked there. Had she been waiting and watching for the right time to come back. Did the migrating falcons trigger her into thinking Archer had returned or did she sense Beauty's vulnerability & decide the time was right. Whatever the case she made a move to take Beauty's territory and sure enough not long after there she was at the nest box. Quite clearly she had wanted the penthouse. Meanwhile my beloved Beauty was in rehab with injuries I didn't know if she would recover from. She is so special to me - the first falcon I ever saw on the cam & Mother my precious Jemison & Callidora. I was heartbroken. As reports came in on her condition it appeared she would make it after she healed and gained strength. I was relieved and kept the candles burning for her. Unity was a large female and I have to admit a gorgeous one.  She loved to preen and was quite the whiner, I called her the Diva falcon. I also had to admire her as a girl who knew what she wanted and went for it. But I was still not ready to like her. She first flirted with an unbanded tiercel and even mated with him as I anxiously awaited Archer's return. Archer came home on the 13th of March and when I saw that white feather I was overjoyed ! He was confused at first, unsure why Unity was in the nest box and wondering where his Beauty was. He promptly chased the other male out. Archer and Unity continued their courtship with him bringing her gifts of prey and they eventually mated. It wasn't exactly what I had hoped for but I wanted Eyas this year very badly. I was very concerned about Beauty's return now that Unity and Archer were at the nest box together but she was healing and would be released soon. And then just as it appeared Unity was about to lay a clutch, the unthinkable happened. On March 26th Archer showed up at the nest box and something was terribly wrong. There he lay flat out and motionless on the deck. Unity came into the box and that photo of her cocking her head looking down at him with such concern is something I will never forget. How could I not love her for loving him. He managed to fly off but it was his legs hanging down that told the story. But what had happened was uncertain - had Archer been injured somehow or was it an infection from an old battle wound. He lay low for the next several days and Unity did her best to attend to him. On March 29th she laid her first egg. I hoped and prayed Archer would heal and return to the nest box once again but it was not meant to be. On April 2nd a new male showed up and Archer was not seen again. Was he chased out by DotCa or did he realize he was no match for him due to his injuries and leave on his own. Whatever the case he was gone. DotCa, a very large and fast Canadian tiercel wasted no time in mating with Unity. He now believed the nest box was his. Unity's egg by Archer sat in the box alone and I hoped with Unity and DotCa mating there would soon be more. And then came the news that Beauty had been released at Montezuma. Only a few miles from where I grew up it is a beautiful wildlife refuge but I was certain she would make her way back to her territory in Rochester which is about an hour away. And then came Good Friday April 6th. Unity had appeared heavy with egg and I was expecting her to lay at any time. My son was coming home for Easter so I was preparing for his arrival. I left around 4:30 to have the usual Friday night soup & sandwich meal with my boyfriend. Unity was in the nest box preening. My son called around 6pm to say he was home so I came back and although I had the laptop on we were busy in conversation catching up on things so I wasn't paying attention. I could see a falcon at the nest box and assumed it was Unity but it was dark by then so I didn't get a good look. I hadn't read the social stream. But then I heard chupping and there was something about the sound of it that made me get up and run to the laptop - it did not sound like Unity. And then I started to read and they were telling me it Beauty ! I went to Rfalconcam FB and there she was - a bit disheveled but her special striped band crystal clear. But where was Unity then. Gone they said, she had been killed. Apparently while struggling with a pigeon she had taken to ground Unity was run down by a car near the library and killed instantly. To the irresponsible driver who took the life of this beautiful creature I say shame on you. It is one thing to deal with harsh realities of nature, it is another altogether to deal with human cruelty to nature. And so the falcon I had tried not to like but had grown to admire and  who had eventually won my heart was gone. Taken before her time by this reckless act. Rest in Peace Unity and soar with the Angels my Diva falcon. And  now Beauty who only knows that the nest box has been empty for several hours makes her triumphant return to what she considers her territory. I am so sad about Unity but so very happy to see her. But Archer is not there and she is confused. DotCa also not knowing what has happened returns to the nest box and finds Beauty rather than Unity in what he considers his territory. They are both confused and do not like each other. A new male shows up and mates with Beauty but DotCa chases him away. Beauty holds her ground as DotDa continues to harass her. He appears to be mating with another female at another location and I can only hope he will let Beauty be so she can have some peace. She is a most beautiful strong falcon and she is a survivor with a brave heart. And so the story continues.......


Unity

Beauty returns

McGee - My Final Farewell

This past Monday had been an ordinary day. I was tired from the "Spring ahead" and admittedly looking forward to a quiet night. Last week's Anniversary celebration had been wonderful but I was counting on a slow night on FB and it seemed to be such. So I was siting on the couch, doing nothing but watching that ridiculous Bachelor show. Sometime after 9pm I went over to my laptop and saw two words up and down the posts "McGee gone" and in an instant the day changed. Funny how life is like that isn't it. Loss hits us like a ton of bricks, stops us dead in our tracks and turns our lives upside down. For regardless of what the Molly song said, neither Molly nor McGee ended up being just common barn owls to us MOD's. They have become so much a part of our lives because of everything we've shared with them. Carlos and his cams brought them into our lives and most of all into our hearts.


And McGee was our Superhero, flying into the box with those blazing white legs in a frenzy of feathers "Leggz McGee" to the rescue ! Providing meals for our precious owlets. Tallies were kept on the number of deliveries and type of meal. Discussions over was it a mouse, a rat, a gopher could last for hours. And it was that "fling and fly" delivery style he became so famous for. And those beautiful, wonderful white legs most often all of him we saw. It wasn't until Molly and McGee were empty nesters after the 3rd clutch that we saw Molly and McGee alone in the box. Their obvious affection for each other was a sight to behold and the screen shots I took from that time are beyond precious to me.

McGee was our hero. Provider to  those amazing clutches and mate to our beloved Molly. Dashing as any male barn owl we've ever seen with his white chest, oh how we loved him.  And I think to to us he was invincible as Superhero's are so Carlos report came as a great shock to us. McGee gone ! How could it be ? We know he would never abandon Molly and their 4th clutch. What happened we will never know, but while on another of his Superhero missions something went awry and he did not return. Molly tried as hard as she could but could not save precious little DeeDee and those 3 other angel eggs. And so it is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of this amazing owl. But we will cherish the memories always. Fly free McGee, we will miss you. Molly has moved on and so must we - it is the way of the owl.

McGee Royal 3.12.12 May he Rest in Peace

CALLIDORA'S STORY The Beginning Part 1

Callidora hatched on the afternoon of May 18th, 2010 high atop the Time Square building in downtown Rochester, NY where the nest box is located.

I heard about it on our local channel 5PM news & they gave out a link to the cam.  I had never heard of Ustream so it was all very new to me. But I copied the link & watched in amazement as the 2nd egg hatched later that evening. It was love at first sight & I was hooked !

Here is a photo of the nest box which is located in the top left hand corner of the building.

I had no idea how to use the Social Stream & it took me quite awhile to figure it out but I finally did & there were many people on it that helped me learn about these magnificent birds of prey.

Here is my very first screenshot of the Eyas as falcon chicks are called taken 5.31.10

As you can see Callidora has a full crop. She was a big girl with a big appetite right from the start

Here are the proud parents, Mom & Dad

Beauty 6.2.10

Archer 6.5.10

Good morning Sunhine 6.8.10

Callidora grew & began exploring  - here she is looking out at the big wide world 6.8.10

She was always eager for a meal & here is Daddy feeding the kids 6.9.10

 

Callidora & Jemison all snuggled up 6.9.10

Callidora & Jemison are now 4 weeks old & banding day is coming up

Banding Day Part 2

Banding Day Morning 6.10.10 'feather in my mouth'

Banding day for the eyases was scheduled for June 10th at 10 AM and it was going to be streamed live on the cams. I was very excited and had re-arranged my schedule so I could come home and watch it. Peregrines are considered an endangered species here in NY and and ones raised in nestboxes like this are banded by the DEC. They were not sure how Beauty and Archer would react so they wear hard hats & carry brooms in case of being attacked. But being first time parents they didn't know what to expect & the eyas were retrieved through a door in the side of the nest box, put into a tote & quickly brought into the office they were borrowing to use for the banding. They are given health checks and their sex is determined by the leg measurement. Jemison was banded a small female but will always be a boy to me. He was named by Rfalconcam.

"Mary Jemison was called “the White Woman of the Genesee.” Kidnapped in Pennsylvania by the Shawnee and French in 1755 at an early age, she was given to the Seneca. Later married to a Delaware brave. She traveled with her baby son, on foot, more than 700 miles to the Genesee river valley. She lived with the Seneca for the rest of her life, gaining respect as as advocate of her adopted nation. "

Callidora, large as she was , left little doubt she was a female. She was named by a local Kindergarten class.

"The name comes from two Greek words, “Kallos” (’beauty’) and Doron (’gift’). Thus, the name means “Gift of Beauty”. The class thought that was quite fitting since Beauty is their mother’s name."

Colored electrical tape are placed over the bands on the left leg so the eyases can be indentified easily by watchers. Callidora has red & Jemison has blue. They were then placed back in the box and all was well.

Later that day they get a banding day dinner from Mom

Showing off their Bling !

Callidora doing her Wingcercise !

And the last picture for this segment & my favorite which I use as my Avatar I call

"Talking things Over"

As you can see their feathers are starting to come in & next they start to explore & head out on the porch

Feathers & Freedom Part 3

Callidora & Jemison are now almost 5 weeks old and growing steady with many meals from Mom & Dad. The adorable white fuzzballs are now turning into eyas with juvenile plumage and they are changing almost daily. It is so much fun to watch them as they explore their surroundings and strengthen their wings to ready themselves for flight.

Losing the fuzz 6.17.10

Morning perching 6.19.10

Callidora w/ her fuzzy britches 6.20.10

Side by side 6.20.10

Callidora with her prey 6.20.10

 Callidora looking fierce 6.21.10

Callidora out on the porch 6.23.10

Big yellow feet 6.24.10

Callidora ready to Fledge 6.24.10

Callidora up on the rooftop 6.26.10

It seems they grew up so fast and next they will Fledge - the final story

Fledge Part 4

Callidora & Jemison are have lost nearly all the fluff and are now ready to spread their wings.

So who would be first to fledge ? It was Jemison on June 26th with a short flight to an adjacent building. Callidora very much wanted to follow but she was much larger & heavier than her brother and couldn't quite get airborne. But she was doing lots of flapping and wing practice and on the 28th she achieved her first flight.

Callidora 6.26.10 wanting to follow Jemison

Callidora 6.27.10 Dreaming of her fledge

Her 1st flight was a bit shaky as she bumped into the side of the building Jemison was on and eventually ended up on another building. But it was a soft landing and she was okay. They had the cam on her and she hopped along the edge of the roof.

Callidora fledges 6.29.10

There are many falcon watchers on the ground during this time to keep an eye on them and they do an amazing job. Callidora & Jemison have now officially become fledglings. And on June 29th a sight everyone hopes for but no one wants to see.

The empty nestbox at dusk 6.29.10

Everything was going smooothly with the young fledglings practicing flights around the area. Jemison returned to the nestbox often but once Callidoa fledged it was awhile before she returned. In the meantime on July 3th Jemison had a collison with building and had to be rescued.

I was devasted as it turned out he had a broken shoulder and had to go to rehab. But tough little guy that he was after 8 weeks he was re-released in a wildlife refuge near where I grew up & he now flys wild & free.

Callidora returns 7.4.10

Callidora on top of nestbox 7.4.10

This is the last photo I have of Callidora in the nest box when she visited on 7.10.10

As you can she she grew up to be a beautiful Peregrine falcon & I was privileged to see her fly overhead with Beauty on Falcon Watchers weekend. Thus ends the story of my watching these 2 precious birds grow up. It was a wonderful experience and the memories I have of it I will hold onto forever. There is nothing like waking up in the morning & rushing to get the computer on just so you can hear that loud beautiful noise of hungry Eyases.

Last year was very disapointing as Beauty laid eggs and there were no hatches. There was much speculation as to the wet Spring being an issue or whether Archer also mating with another younger female, Unity, was a contributing factor. Only God knows. Archer has gone South for the Winter and Beauty is here keeping watch over her territory. So we wait for Spring & the return of Archer so see what happens this year. But I pray for Eyas every night.

I would like to thank Rfalconcam who provides the wonderful cams we watch on

here is a link to the homepage http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/

I would also like to thank all the falcon watchers and all the rehab people who helped along the way

And to Callidora who has my heart

Soar with the Angels