Mom,
Today would have been your 80th Birthday. And as I head downtown to falcon watchers weekend you are foremost on my mind. Oh how you would have loved to watch these beautiful birds as they soar from building to building. And you would be fascinated by the amazing technology we now have to be able to see them up close on the cams. Such fond memories I have of all those days we spent driving around over at Montezuma, climbing up and down the observation towers. Passing our one pair of binoculars back and forth as you pointed out this bird or that nesting sight. Your love of the land and it's inhabitants deeply instilled in me. And now this country girl, brought up in those wide open spaces has gone urban. Falling madly in love with these city dwelling peregrine falcons. So as I watch these three beautiful juveniles take to the skies I will think of you and smile. And as parents Beauty and Dot teach them the skills they will need to survive on their own I know they will soon leave to make their own way. And I will miss them just as I miss you but the joy they have brought will be forever in my heart, just as you are. Happy Birthday Mom, wish you were here.
Love always,
Braveheart
Rosetta,Voyager & Baron on a rainy day 7.1.13
I've been feeling very nostalgic about Molly & McGee since we started 2013. Maybe it was the realization that three years had gone by since it all began. Maybe it was the first year without them in anyway to watch or get updates from Carlos . But whatever the case I have felt the need to cling to those precious moments in time, to gather them all close to me, and to somehow keep them in a special place I can go to whenever I need to remember. Some of you know I am just a tad bit addicted to Pinterest and so it seemed natural to keep them there. I originally started with just one M & M board but it has now become three, One for M & M, one for the kidz, and one I call All Things Molly and McGee. And I just can't pin enough of them. Every Vacadude cartoon or captioned photo or MOD paraphernalia a treasure I must hold onto.
And so it was in Jan. when someone mentioned that Eric Blehm would be soon closing his Molly The Owl online store that I immediately went over to look again. He and Carlos had put together some wonderful items such as those fabulous coffee table books I love. But I hadn't ever purchased the Molly the Owl book as I had no little ones around. With high hopes of someday having a Grand-baby I decided I must get it. So I placed the order. Then early in February my boyfriend asked what I would like for Valentines Day and once again I went back to check the store. I had always wanted that Glowz charm as spiders fascinate me so I ordered it. The orders went through but I didn't hear anything so I sent Eric an email. He replied that he was closing the store but since he knew me from previous orders he was trying to locate the items to send me. I let him know how much I appreciated it and then he asked if I had any of the other charms. I told him no and he said he was including something extra in my package. So I waited in anticipation of it's arrival. And when it came to my amazement he had given me three other charms, Tauntz, I Love Molly & Molly along with the bracelet. He also gave me both of those neat pop-up cards. I was thrilled to say the least to receive all these extra's. Now Eric has officially closed the store & I have these treasures to hold onto and a book for a future MOD. And so time goes on but I hold onto the nostalgia of what once was as I go forward with what will be. Peace*Love*Community, a constant that I hope will last forever, thank you MOD's for being a part of it.
Here we are in 2013 already and it's hard to imagine three years has passed since we first met them. That owl couple we adored and forever hold in our hearts. Just the sound of their names takes us back to that wonderful magical time we spent at the Owlbox with none other than Molly and McGee and their owlets.
And oh what a time it was. Hour upon hour spent with them, many late into the night for us East coasters. As they mated, brooded and hatched those two amazing clutches we followed every moment. It was all so new to most of us and we learned so much about barn owl behavior through our watching. Every hatch was a wonderful sight to behold and those two owlets lost in the 2nd clutch a reminder of just how fragile life is. We watched them grow from tiny prehistoric looking beings into fuzzy white owlets and then into their beautiful barn owl feathers, a miraculous transition we never tired of. As they fledged one by one it was a nerve racking time that left us on the edge of our seats hoping they would land safely and return to the box. After they all left it was just Molly and McGee together in the box, side by side, sleeping, preening and loving each other. The love and affection they had for one another a sight so priceless and how I best like to remember them.
But time marches on, Carlos went his way and the cams were no more. Last April he gave us the tragic news that McGee did not return while hunting for their 4th clutch and we knew he was gone. Molly tried her best but could not save her owlets. She stayed around the Owlbox for some time afterwards but then she too left. Gone but never forgotten, for these two owls left a legacy that will last a lifetime.
We call ourselves MOD's and I consider it a privilege to be one. A very special community that has brought so much joy to so many. We've made lasting friendships and met new MOD friends along the way. Who could have imagined the wonderful things that have come from watching those two owls. We've since found other cams to watch and chat and Facebook groups to gather in and share.
Yet we find ourselves here three years later still as madly in love with Molly and McGee as ever. And I suspect we always will be.
This is a story of heroics and bravery . A story of spirits and legends. And yes this is a story about an extraordinary little egg I named Angel egg.
Archer & Unity bowing
Angel Egg was laid on March 29th. Her Mother was the lovely Unity and her Father was none other than that tiercel with a white feather named Archer. Just days earlier on March 26th Archer had returned to the nest box injured and unable to stand on his legs. Unity had sensed something was wrong and tried to comfort him. But he managed to fly off and was seen on nearby buildings for several days afterwards. So Unity laid Angel Egg alone and was torn between caring for her egg and concern for her Archer. Then a new tiercel who would be identified as Dot.ca appeared in town on April 2nd and Archer was not seen again. DC & Unity bonded and mated and he seemed to consider Angel Egg his right from the start. But the unthinkable occurred on April 6th when Unity was struck and killed by a car while struggling with a pigeon she had caught. Dot.ca waits for her at the nest box in vain, unaware of what has happened. He keeps watch over his Angel Egg. She has lost her beautiful Mother and her Father's whereabouts remain unknown but within her hard shell their spirits are forever contained.
Unity & Dot.ca bowing
Unity and Angel Egg
And then just hours after Unity's death, Beauty returns to the nest box, flying back to her familiar territory after being released from Montezuma. She had been in rehab after the injuries she had sustained earlier in her battle with Unity. She barely glances at Angel Egg but settles into her home. But things do not go well. Dot.ca returns to the nest box to find her and he is not happy. Where has his Unity gone ? And Beauty wonders the same about her Archer. They are both very confused about what has happened . Dot continues to harass Beauty day after day but she is determined to stay in her box. It is a bad situation and everyone is very concerned.
Beauty with Angel Egg
Meanwhile Angel Egg had been sitting unattended in the hot sun for many days. Her beautiful red coloring she wore when hatched had faded until she became almost a pale white egg. Now she was truly an angel. She was almost certainly no longer viable and yet there she sat at the ready. But what was her mission ?
Was it Unity's spirit attempting to right a wrong after she nearly took the life of her Aunt. Was it Archers's spirit determined to keep the Rochester falcon legacy alive, willing the greatness of his genes into this new family. Yes Angel Egg most surely had a mission. To bring these two strong willed falcons together and to watch over their offspring. But it would not be easy.
From the time Beauty returned on April 6th things would be chaotic for the next three weeks. DC did not want Beauty at the nest box and when she was there he continually dive bombed her and chased her away. Just when things appeared to get better another tiercel showed up and all heck broke lose. Beauty bonded with the male but Dot wasn't about to let him stay and chased him off. In the middle of it all on May 16th a first time occurrence. Beauty comes into the nest box and incubates Angel Egg for a few minutes. She quite obviously wants to mate and have her own clutch. But with whom ? On the 20th another tiercel shows up and once again Beauty tries repeatedly with him but Dot will not allow it. On the 24th she once again incubates Angel Egg, this time for well over an hour. Is this a sign of things to come ? One can only hope. Then on the the 27th Dot comes into the nest box and there is bowing and echupping between them, surely a good sign. And then after what seemed liked forever a miracle happens and on April 29th they finally bond.
Beauty & Dot.ca finally bowing to each other
On May 16th Beauty lays her first egg. A second will follow on the 19th. And then she does something amazing. After practically ignoring Angel Egg up to this point she gently pushes her alongside the other two eggs and settles down on her clutch. Angel Egg has found her place. She will remain next to the rest of the clutch until hatch, a guardian angel to them. Things between Beauty and Dot remain somewhat tense as he likes egg sitting but Beauty is not thrilled and often ousts him from the eggs. But it is Dot on the eggs when just after 6AM on June 20th the shell breaks beneath him and an eyas appears. He looks on in amazement at the birth of his son. The other egg does not hatch but a miracle has occurred. After all the tumultuous events of the past months Rochester falcon watchers finally have an eyas. Angel Egg is now a guardian angel to this precious baby. As Dot & Beautykeep busy providing for their eyas Angel Egg remains vigilant as he grows.
Beauty on Angel Egg & her eggs
Angel Egg & eyas
July 13th will be Angel Egg's last day in the nest box. It is banding day for the eyas. After the eyas was removed for banding they return to collect the unhatched eggs for examination. The other egg is cracked and crumbles as they retrieve it. But Angel Egg is as solid as the day she was laid. They would not be able to determine why she didn't hatch because she only contained the spirits of Archer & Unity. She was never meant to be viable, she was meant to be an Angel Egg and that she was. She had completed her mission and we finally had a miracle pefa named Orion. She will never be forgotten and she lives on in the Rochester falcon legacy. For she truly was the bravest little Angel Egg.
Orion with his guardian Angel Egg
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
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
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.
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