Falcon Watch – 7/12/21
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
Needless to say, my heart was broken when I got the call to pick up Freyja. We’ve had our share of sadness over the years, but this one really hit me hard. Fly Free Beautiful Freyja. I will miss you, always.
For the last week, many of the Rochester Falcon Watchers have been visiting downtown Rochester and the ST location to keep an eye on our young falcons. Golden is getting a lot of attention from both Beauty and Dot.ca. His training is going extremely well. I’ve seen him chase pigeons, kestrels and Great Blue Herons. Nothing is safe from him. As for the ST juvies, there are three of them, two girls and a boy, they too are doing really well.
There is such a difference in what we see at both locations. Downtown, Golden is more of a loner, having no siblings to play with, he hangs out with Beauty and Dot.ca. While the ST juvies are usually playing with and chasing each other, with Billie & Beau watching form nearby.
I really wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the past week of so. Hope you enjoy!
Checking out the pigeons that nest there.
Keeping a close eye on Golden who is eating on a near-by building, after a successful food transfer from Beauty.
Billie & Beau’s Have Two Girls. The Boy Came in a Little Later.
All Three were playing in the river gorge on the trees near the river. So much fun to watch!
This brings back such wonderful memories of watching Mariah & Kaver’s young ones flying in the gorge at High Falls!
Of Course Golden would choose the green leaf, to match the green tape on his band!
I was able to verify Billie’s band #’s. We always try to check the band #’s, just to make sure.
July 12th, 2021 at 1:27 PM
I always enjoy your pictures, today especially Beauty and Dot.ca on RG&E Bldg and the series of the ST girls in the trees. Nostalgia pure.
July 12th, 2021 at 2:00 PM
💚😍💚 Green hearts for Golden.
July 12th, 2021 at 4:52 PM
Such wonderful pictures and a lovely remembrance, Carol. Wouldn’t it be great if Golden and the ST juvies would meet at High Falls and play? And have nobody get hurt?
July 12th, 2021 at 4:52 PM
So happy to see falcons in the gorge again!!!
July 12th, 2021 at 5:48 PM
I want to thank all the watchers who looked for Freyja when she couldn’t be found twice & then again when she went missing. And I want thank Dana & Carol who took her to the DEC after she was found. Losing her such a short time after her fledge broke my heart. I would like to share the poem I wrote for her.
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
July 12th, 2021 at 7:19 PM
Thanks everyone. That is such a lovely poem Linda. Thank you for sharing. ♥️🌹
July 13th, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Beautiful poem, Linda – Freyja has always been one of my favorite Norse names. And wonderful pictures, Carol. I especially liked the ones in the gorge – wonderful memories and like the montage photo that Falkenn Martinez did so long ago (which I have).
July 13th, 2021 at 1:39 PM
Thank you Karen. I just love seeing them there. 🙂