Bells

Still working with Willow. She has been very crabby and temperamental. Probably the weather~ we had wind again yesterday, and last night.. clocked gusts of 101 mph.

Woke to 43 degrees this morning, so Spring is definitely in the air. It is time to start thinking about retiring her for the season.  Right now is mating season for raptors, and soon she will start molting~ so for her health the best thing to do is put her up for the summer in her mew.  Make sure she has plenty to eat and plenty of sunlight so she can grow in a new set of beautiful adult feathers.

But I am not quite ready to give this up …Not quite  yet~

The falcons’ spirit is different from man’s.

It is unconstrained,

self reliant and usually stronger than ours.

She has no self pity, no fear.

That is why we admire her so; almost like a tangible aura.

Even on the brink of death, her spirit remains intact.

Contact with such a spirit enhances and strengthens our own through example and affiliation.

~Dr. Nick Fox and Jacek Strek From Falconry by Jacek Strek

Slaying Monsters… and a little more.

Wanted~ quiet, secluded, cabin in the woods ~ A place to think.   A refuge to find creativity  and inspiration.  A haven beyond cell phone range.   A sanctuary surrounded by nature with no distractions or outside noise… a private retreat. A hideaway to regroup, gather your thoughts and find ~ “you”.

I live in a place that most people visualize when they dream of getting away from it all. A place that I have always chosen to be. To me this place is called home.

(Fog surrounding heart mountain)

For years I have been wanting to buy a camper, or even to just pack up my family, our horses and go to the back country and stay for the summer. Away from it all.  Amerced in nature and each other. Teaching our son and learning from our experiences in Nature.  It was a joking conversation with a friend about a month ago that inspired this change and helped  made me realize that I already have that and more. I already have the best of both worlds.

Out my back door are wide open spaces. Sage covered hills, rocks, bushes and dirt. But also elk, deer, antelope, birds and other assorted wild creatures. Clean mountain air. Room to roam and clear your head with plenty to fill your soul. I live off the beaten path in a place with no cell phone service. I live a great life and try to keep it in balance.  I am free to explore the mountains, hills and rivers. I spend as much time as I need outside in nature.  I am a wildlife photographer. I am a falconer.  I share my life with the wild creatures. But I am also a wife and a mother. I enjoy my baths and the comfort of a roof over my head on cold winter nights and a place I can come home to dry out and warm and rest. Without modern conveniences (telephones, computers ~etc) I would not be able to capture the photos that I do every day or to share  them with you.

I think there will always be that part of me that aspires to retreat a bit farther and explore what is over the next ridge.  But until you have lived that life, you can not understand the hardships that accompany living “out of reach”  I have lived, for much longer than a weekend, without modern conveniences. It was by choice, and while raising children. It isn’t about testing myself to see if I am capable. I already know that I am. I grew up using an outhouse.  I have spent winters chopping ice and packing water from frozen streams.  I have cooked our meals over fire pits, and washed cloths by hand. The idea of living off of the land is a romantic idea and there are many things that I miss about that simple life. But I also know and appreciate the gift of running water and the magic of flipping a light switch to keep you company on those long winter days when the sun seems to set before it has even risen. I learned to appreciate the convenience of every day items like a refrigerator.  I have enjoyed the good parts of living without electricity and endured the difficult.  Now I am able to chose, and enjoy the best that both life styles have to offer.

My husband and I share a love of nature. We have always lived as close to the wild as we could.  For 15 yrs we worked together, owned a company and took our children to work with us. We worked because we had to,  but we always made sure to spent as much time as we could outside and away from it all.   A few years ago the economy got tight and we closed down our company and our way of life was turned upside down. ~ My husband took a job away from home and our oldest boy ~ grown~ went to work with his dad.  Leaving me to “hold down the fort”, so to speak . Raising our youngest child was easy, taking care of the animals and things around the house, while he was away, second nature. But a part  of me mourned. I can honestly say it was the only time in my life I was truly lonely.  For the first year and a half my parents were close and I made a point to venture out to visit with them at least once a month.  But  on the stints when Hawk was gone, I had a very hard time spending time outside. Outside was a place that my husband and I had always shared.  Even if we went alone,  it was something special. For us.~ We both knew and understood the draw and healing power of the wild places, and I felt guilty enjoying time outside while my husband was stuck in places void of nature. It has taken time, but I have learned to adjust.  But, that does not mean I have given up the desire to take my family and walk away into nature for weeks or even months at a time. We still continue to do that when ever we are able ~ some of our journeys as a family  are just longer than others is all, and some are more remote, but they are all equally cherished.

While writing this entry I searched for a word to describe how I live. Misanthrope, Hermit, Recluse? No, those words don’t fit at all.. they sound like something bad. Like I have something to hide. ~ I don’t, I actually enjoy human interactions… I just enjoy nature more. Don’t get me wrong. I will forever cherish my friendships, especially with those who make time for me each day.

I have a road to my house. A path to and from town. I use it to gather supplies and access places farther “away” from it all ~ but it is now the last day of February (Leap Day)… and I  can tell you that  the last time a vehicles came up my driveway (UPS and Fedex deliveries don’t count) was Thanksgiving when I invited friends to join us for dinner. I talk to Hawk on the phone every day while he is gone, but other than that, it rarely rings. I have a television that I never turn on until the end of the day~ When I can, I still chose to spend my days outside ~ connecting with and enjoying nature.

It is here~ in the platform of this web site through photos and stories~  that I have chosen to share my life’s adventures..

My life on the fringes of  civilization~ the Periphery~ on the edge.  Solitary ~ but preferred. A life,  a passion, a longing for Nature and all  that she has to offer.

Today I tracked, stalked and slayed a monster!!

Ok~ so it wasn’t actually a monster but it was an unknown life form that had taken up residence in some dark and forgotten corner of  my refrigerator.

I finished up an article that I have been working on, cleaned up feathers and seeds from Toby the McCaw, answered emails, and edited a few photos while I enjoyed my morning coffee.

~Then I ventured outside to breathe a little fresh air.  The clouds had settled in obliterating the view and the snow was gently falling. The temperatures today were a little colder than they have been for a while, but the wind was not blowing ~ and living where I do, a windless day is always a plus.
I attempted to work Willow~ but after too much time off, the session was pretty futile and I eventually  return her to the mew with a full crop.

Tomorrow, I will take little different approach to the training.  I will need to back up a few lessons and re-establish the bond to the lure before I attempt take her out hunting again. Even with the storm, there are hints of Spring in the air and I believe that she can feel it too.

I came back inside in time to eat lunch and warm up a bit before venturing back out to check on the horses.

As always they were happy to see me and lined up along the fence. I poured  out enough grain for all of them to eat and warm them selves.  And as I sat there in the wet, falling snow watching the melting ice run down their backs, I found myself once again~ grateful that I had a home where I can escape from the cold and wet.

Broaden your horizons ~ Continued

 

A huge thank you to those of you joining the Challenge ~ If you are just getting here and don’t have a clue what I am talking about~ you can read the article I wrote , and what I hope is a very simple explanation of how to use  AV/A settings on your camera

over at  The Won.

I am devoting this week to experimenting with my cameras Aperture settings (AV on a Canon~ V on a Nikon)  and have challenged the world to join me.  Take your camera out. Switch the settings off of Auto~ and experiment with the Aperture value settings under different lighting and situations~ and see just how easy it is to improve your photos. I encourage you to post your results (please make sure you send us a link in the comments) or even put your best work up on my FaceBook page.

  A chance to learn, have fun and gain confidence.

 

Sometimes having a broader horizon can ruin a photo. I sat in exactly the same place when  I took these two images, and Willow did not move. (Just her head) The sun had set behind the mountain and she was getting nervous about finding a more secluded place to finish her meal and  spend the night, so she wasn’t exactly the most cooperative model.   As I explained in the article that posted yesterday-  the larger F# = more in focus ~  The photo above was taken at F40 ~ as high (or small in the case of aperture) as my camera and lens would allow.  Since I was using my zoom lens the background didn’t “focus” as much as I had anticipated but the annoying yellow cable from the power line is still clearly visible sticking out of Willows head.  Agreed, it isn’t a “bad” photo~ and with a little work in an editing program most people could remove or blur the unwanted objects  in the background~  but if you have a tool to do improve your work.. why not use it as it is intended.

By making the adjustments to a smaller f# (larger aperture)  the distractions in the background disappear~ (smaller f#= less in focus) leaving the subject, “Willow” in this case ~ to stand out and capture your attention. (Honest.. the yellow cable is still there~ if you look REALLY close you will be able to detect it~ I didn’t move her. I just let the camera do it’s magic) No editing required.

(F5.6)

(reminder ~ smaller aperture (larger f) on AV/A mode means that the camera will chose the correct shutter speed. Since the light was fading quickly ~ the settings used in the first image chose a slow shutter speed~ and most of the photos I took at this setting ~ any movement of the camera or the subject will cause blur~ sometimes blur from the subject can create beautiful images~ but not blur from camera movement ~ if you have one~use a tripod or other sturdy surface when at all possible)

Willow` January update

Willow has been flying beautifully. She is so much fun to work with and I just love her personality. No amount of manning will get her past her dislike of our giant black lab Buckwheat. She is ok with the other two black dogs but still hackles and spreads her wings in a defensive posture at him when he comes near. doesn’t help that I think it is funny  About a month ago Willow injured her wing and it took a bit of rest to heal, but she is back to her old self and loves to leave my fist~ fly in a large sweeping circle up over my head above the sage~ then spiral out and return to my fist .. only to let me carry her for a 100 yards or so and do it again.  She isn’t a real strong hunter, but the cotton tail populations in our region this year  are extremely low. Natures way of balancing things out I guess, but I am still grateful that I have her as there is no doubt in my mind now that she would have had a tough time surviving on her own. {I am still flying her at her trapped weight}

I have spent the last few days making changes to my website.. You can now find the undistorted paypal link to the right for the NEW MAGAZINE as well as the Digital Calendars, and each also has a designated link on the home page.  Home page has a link for falconry~ and I will soon be including some new categories ~
Hawk and I a preparing for SHOT show next week. I am very excited about seeing and sharing with you the new products for 2012.

In an effort to eliminate a few of my other ~very neglected~ blogs I am going to be reposting some of my old photos and stories from my old falconry site over here. I hope you enjoy the little walk down memory lane with me.

Connections between human beings and the winged ones are nothing new.. For thousands of years native peoples of the Americas have told stories about the common ground between us. Both humans and winged beings walk upright on two legs. The winged ones, it is said, carry our prayers to the creator on powerful wings ~and in many cultures the raptors are thought to be messengers of the Great Spirit.  Feathers of birds have been worn in a place of honor amongst many tribes for untold generations and some of these feathers are still worn in ceremonies by the descendents of these ancient warriors after hundreds of years. Through my lifetime I have been fortunate to learn from my elders the old ways of the people and to honor all the creatures who we share this great earth with. When my wife Stacey began her falconry apprenticeship several(11) years ago, I was more than happy to help her in her endeavors.  From the countless days spent roaming the countryside, as she trapped her first wild bird, to the weeks of training and conditioning both the bird and herself for the hunt . I was honored to be included the first time she hunted the bird from her fist. Many years have passed since that first moment of her bonding with the winged warriors of the sky, and I have witnessed the growth of her spiritual awareness and skills as a falconer. But one thing has remained unchanged throughout her journey, and that is her connection to the birds. In this photo I took of her and Abby, you can see the love and respect she has for these majestic hunters. I apologize for the picture I am not a photographer and have little talent in that department. But I am gifted with the ability to notice when someone is walking through life with a good heart and a true spirit… And I am proud to say she is all of that and more… Hawk

Comments ~ saved and posted here from the connections post.. because your words, encouragement and support are special to me ~

Skies ~ a New Year and endless possibilities for 2012

Wyoming has been having some very warm weather the last couple weeks~ and when the wind stops I have really enjoyed being outside.  And the sunrises and sunsets (though brief) have been spectacular.. so today I am going to share a few of them with you…

and for those of you that missed it~ I will no longer be sending out the Monthly calendar to everyone. I will however continue to send it to those who purchased the Magazine.. kind of like a little bonus~ if you still would like the high resolution calendar but don’t want to order a copy of the magazine~ message me and you can purchase each month for $1.00 downloadable to you computer.

All those who ordered before today~ your magazines have been shipped and should arrive in your mailbox this week. <3 Can’t wait to hear what you think.~ and THANK YOU !

December 2011

December … my, my, my… where does the time go?  Bare with me over the next weeks and months as I bring new exciting changes and surprises to A “Focus” in the wild for the New Year.. in the mean time.. Please enjoy your free Desktop Calendar ~ Willow!

Flying~

Snuck out this morning to take Willow flying. She had a blast and was soaring around my head for a while until the wind came up. I took along the little critter camera and was able to get some neat video~ will try to put it all together later on and share, but realized when I got home~ that most of the footage was taken into the sun.. oops. Not easy to maneuver  Willow and all the things required for falconry~ the camera, myself and still try to flush a bunny or two.  Well lucky for me.~ Willow has lots of patience and she tolerates me.  The wind picked up toward the end, and “something” was flying above us.. I never saw it, but she was telling me it was there~ wore her out today, but she loved every minute of it.  And we made it home just as it started to snow.  Timing is everything.

Here are a few photos I captured off of the video footage from today..~

(Calling~ sunrise)

 

(Thank you Prois for such a fantastic line of women’s hunting and outdoor apparel.. cloths that really work)

 

(shadows)

I am often asked.. why I would want to fly a hawk.  Other Falconers often prefer falcons over hawks as they are better suited to hunt different quarry. I fell in love with Red Tails 11 years ago. I love their personalities. I love their courage. I love to watch them fly, and hunt~ and it is all up close and very personal.  Each bird has a unique personality and temperament. But this last image~ for me, gives a small glimpse into the answer.. Why..

Falconry

 

As some of you know I am, and have been a licensed falconer for 11 years now. I have been blessed to work with some amazing people in the rehab community and some unforgettable birds.

The last few days I have been thinking about each one of the hawks  that I have had the pleasure to connect with.  And as I sat on a remote dirt road, anxiously watching a hawk through my camera lens (don’t have a decent pair of binoculars ) I felt that same excitement and anxiety that I felt as I watched my first falconry bird come in for the bait.  The only difference is 11 yrs ago~ I had already spent a month searching and trying to convince a legal bird to come to the trap.

Day 1 trapping for a falconry bird. ~ set the live trap out last night hoping to catch a mouse to use for bait. My husband went down to the wood pile to check and see if the peanut butter and bird seed had worked~ while I got ready for the day. No mice in the trap .. But after finding  my winter gloves, and a little help from the lab dog~ (ok.. he isn’t much help, but he thinks he is) Hawk was able to capture a small mouse..small is better than nothing. I grabbed my cameras, my capture falcon license, an old towel and various other pieces and parts of equipment I would need and we headed out  the door.

The weather is beautiful and right off we were able to locate a couple of bird sitting on the power poles ~ both adult  birds~ so I didn’t take the time to set out the bait.  Late morning we spotted a tall, thin juvenile red tail sitting on a pole above a road killed pheasant.  I put out the bait and we backed off to watch. Cars rushed by on the high way and I worried that her hunger would get the best of her and she would go for the pheasant she was watching  and get hit. There was a break in traffic and she finally settled down~ her head bobbed up and down as she focused on the bait in the trap. She nervously looked around, and finally~ her wings spread as she swooped down toward the trap…only to scoop up a garter snake from the highway.  She flew to a nearby rise and lid on a sage brush to enjoy her meal.

I gathered up the trap and we ran back to town to pick our son up from school. ~

Later that afternoon, after returning to the area to see if I could spot her again, and setting out the bait for a couple different birds and getting ignored~

We located another young redtail in a tree at the edge of a field.  Her bright white chest patch made her easy to observe from a distance. I threw the bait for her 3 different times. At one point she came in and lit on the road next to the trap.. checked it out for a bit and then retreated to a nearby fence post~ before returning to the line of trees. Not sure if she was hoping for a larger meal, or just confused by the trap~ but if you ask me ~ I think the mouse made a deal with her.. or maybe told her what I was up to and  she decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

on the way home we spotted a few different hawks close to the house and decided to try to be out at sunrise to try again.

Not a bad day at all for the first day of trapping.

Day #2 of trapping season~

Coffee is poured ~ and bait escaped some time during the night. Since we share our home with a couple of dogs and one is a Jack Russell that loaths mice and rats, I figured I was in trouble. Hawk checked the mouse trap, but it was still empty.  As Josiah was getting ready for school, he spotted the mouse hiding under the kitchen island. After a little demolition work~ bait was once again caught and we headed out the door.  There were a couple hawks hunting not far from the house, but none were interested in mouse for breakfast.

A trip over town on our way back to the river bottom and Hawk got permission from the local feed lot to “catch all the pigeons you want”

I harnessed up the pigeon and we took the back roads to the spot we had seen the young bird last night.

As we pulled down the old bouncy dirt road, Hawk spotted her sitting on a power pole. ~ I got ready and as we went by I carefully tossed the bait into the grass~ it had barely left my finger tips when I looked up and she was already diving.~ Wham! wings spread in a silent attack.  We hurried back, but she wasn’t caught yet, just very hungry. I watched through my camera lens from a distance waiting until I was sure she was caught~ and Hawk watched beside me through his broken monocular. Breath held, it seemed like forever~ but when I reached for her~ she pulled lose and flew a few feet away. I backed off immediately thinking I had just lost this bird, but to my amazement when we got far enough away, she came running out of the brush, sauntered down the road and once again captured her meal (the pigeon) This time she was caught and I was able to get her gathered up and released from the trap~ hooded and on the way home. with a HUGE smile on my face. Hawk released the mouse into a cut oat field ~ where I am sure he will be glad the Jack Russell will never find him.

Back at home~ she has on her new jesses and anklets ~ she sits the fist very well and is a very brave girl. 1300g~ 45.85oz trapped weight

She ate the first night~ and today lets me enter the mew unhooded and pick her up with no fuss at all, even though she’s still nervous and puffed up to try to scare me.

Looking forward to working with this beautiful girl.. as for a name, I haven’t decided yet.. maybe I will let my readers and “her”  fans pick a name..~

70-80% of all raptors die in their first year of life. This girl was very hungry and she came after the bait almost immediately~ I have no doubt that if she hadn’t found food in the next few days.. she would have been in the percentage that didn’t survive~ The bird are usually hungry or in poor health if they come to the bait in the first place.. healthy birds who are successful hunters will most often ignore the trap~ adult birds who are proven hunters cannot be trapped for falconry purposes. I usually fly them for a year or 2 then release them. at this point they are past that first year, and are stronger and confident hunters ~