I heard they went with "Raptors".  Darn - they could have revived Coach Hayden Fox's fictitious Minnesota (State) Screaming Eagles.

http://www.afn.org/~afn02552/screaming_eagles.png

I like this one:

http://kimbathewhitelion.blogspot.com/2010/08/lower-life-forms.html

Nice thoughts in troubled times.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6775120n&tag=cbsnewsSectionsArea.0

The streaming video is great, and it has finally enticed my lovely wife into sharing the falcon semi-addiction I have experienced for the past seven years. The accompanying staccato, twitterish  chat, however, makes me long for the insight and substance of the old yahoo-based forum postings. 

Revisiting the Spring turkey hunt discussion in this thread. 

Reader comments on a turkey hunting "accident" article in the Wellsville Daily Reporter included this opinion of an ex-turkey hunter:

"Better Ways

Turkey hunting is a blood sport, Rambler is right on. Consider that the birds are overwhelmed with seasonal mating urges and act irrationally, it is not sporting to take advantage of that. I have in the past, with regret, been a turkey hunter and the hunting strategy is that simple. Turkeys gobble for the same reason the yellow warbler sings, to define territory and find a mate. Positioning yourself in the woods before light as close to a gobblers roost as possible in order to best attract him into gun range by replicating a wanting female is not hunting.... its easy... and the irrational mentality that drives a man to commit this killing leads to these kinds of senseless injuries. The Eastern Turkey is a beautiful being, full of wanderlust and pride. They should only be killed for survival, be it by a coyote a needy human who can easily do so without interrupting the spring mating season. Andrew HArris"

http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/news/x1920419708/Man-shot-in-face-near-hunting-camp
 

Failure in Panama City.  3 eggs then 2; 2 chicks then 1; today she stands guard over her last dead chick.  Perhaps the forces of nature can sense the impending oil disaster lurking in the nearby Gulf and chose to spare these little ones future suffering. 

http://www.northwestfloridaonline.com/panhandleparade/index.php/externals/ospreycam/

nwfloridafalconfan

Another sad day. How old were they? What else can go wrong this weekend. Sorry. 

Only 6 days.

Failure in Panama City.  3 eggs then 2; 2 chicks then 1; today she stands guard over her last dead chick.  Perhaps the forces of nature can sense the impending oil disaster lurking in the nearby Gulf and chose to spare these little ones future suffering. 

http://www.northwestfloridaonline.com/panhandleparade/index.php/externals/ospreycam/

nwfloridafalconfan

Screen Grab.

Osprey hatch (or two) in Panama City.  Wish we had Rochester's cameras. 

Too funny, NW Floridafan! Is the car in your icon a Falcon too? As in a Ford Falcon?

Helen P.

Yes, it's a 1962 Ford Falcon.  A nice little compact car that made its mark before smaller cars were the norm.  It even came in a pick-up truck and delivery van version.

  http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1960-1963-ford-falcon-ranchero.htm

 

From thefreedictionary.com:

ref·uge  (rfyj)
n.
1. Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship.
2. A place providing protection or shelter.
3. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.

The upcoming Iroquois NWR Youth Spring Turkey Hunt seems to contradict the refuge concept (at least for the turkeys.) 

3rd Osprey Egg in Panama City

nwfloridafalconfan

2nd Panama City Osprey Egg came Saturday.

nwfloridafalconfan

First Egg - Panama City, FL Osprey Cam.

http://www.northwestfloridaonline.com/panhandleparade/index.php/externals/ospreycam/