This is great news and I hope she makes a full recovery. Has this ever happened before, releasing a Falcon who has had surgery on the wing?  I say it was a "PUNK" shot for the fun of it or a Pigeon fancier who's pissed off at the falcons for killing their pigeons. Who ever did this...MUST be punished but of course, they will never find the idiot. 

What a great time you all have every year. My kind of vacation, not much hustle and bustle. Take it one day at a time and no crowds!! Thanks Paul.

[He's just a baby!]

He's just a baby!  Happy 2nd little one!

Charming images of these beautiful birds. (from 10,000 Birds)

http://10000birds.com/angel-terns.htm

Oh my word, they are beautiful! Like the last pic, very cool!! THANKS!!!

Our family always has a huge annual picnic called Christmas in July - everyone wears their Christmas t-shirts, socks, jewels - fun!

NO way!! That's awesome!!

Archer snuck in past MAK again.
"WELL!"
She held off for a few.


Off to the Wilder
matching white spot 
"D#*% watch batteries!"

I have already seen Christmas ads here too! Jeeeez!

That's a wee bit early, even for me but I do like the Christmas in July shopping ads. Then it stops, just like that, in August.

[Come September, I'll be rooting for peregrine falcons migrating through West Tennessee to escape the traps and gloved hands of a falconer. I wish the wandering peregrines a safe and speedy passage — and good luck.]

This year, for the first time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded Tennessee one permit allowing the trapping of one peregrine falcon for use in falconry.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will conduct a random draw Aug. 31 to determine the permit winner. Eligible applicants (licensed general and master falconers) must apply by Aug. 10.

This fall, during peak raptor migration Sept. 20-Oct. 20, the winning falconer will try to trap a peregrine falcon anywhere within TWRA's Region 1 West Tennessee counties. "This is a unique opportunity for falconers since peregrines were the primary birds used in falconry until the early 1900s," said Walter Cook, TWRA statewide falconry coordinator.

What? Someone legally trapping a wild peregrine falcon in Tennessee with the blessings of TWRA and the USFWS? And they'll keep the falcon under circumstances that many people consider akin to keeping a pet bird for personal use and enjoyment? And what about peregrines being an endangered species in the eastern U. S. for so many years? The trapping of a peregrine for falconry raises far more objections than the trapping of the far more abundant red-tailed hawk for falconry.

TWRA states "the population of peregrine falcons, through state and federal conservation efforts, has recovered enough since their near-extinction in the early 20th century to allow for a limited take of these birds for the use in falconry." But the falconer can't trap just any peregrine he or she is lucky enough to catch. Active nests and birds in counties in Middle and East Tennessee are off limits. East Tennessee is home to a few nesting peregrine pairs as a result of a peregrine reintroduction project involving much effort and money over many years.

To be kept, any peregrine captured by a falconer must be a migrating juvenile (first year) bird. Adult and resident falcons are off limits. If a trapped peregrine wears research leg bands or a transmitter, the bird must be released where captured after recording all identifying numbers and contacting the researcher — who might want a transmitter's batteries replaced.

Hunting small animals with birds of prey is an ancient method of capturing wildlife. Falconry is regulated as a form of hunting — though I doubt modern falconers eat what their birds catch. It's a lot of work for a falconer to trap, train, exercise and care for a hawk or falcon. Most falconers are very devoted to the well-being of their birds. A TWRA permit is required to practice falconry in Tennessee under strict USFWS guidelines.

Because their long-term recovery from near extinction in Tennessee and other eastern states continues to involve so much time, effort, and expense, I personally hate to see even one of these magnificent free-spirited falcons removed from the wild and unnecessarily taken captive. Peregrines are still listed as an endangered species in Tennessee.

Come September, I'll be rooting for peregrine falcons migrating through West Tennessee to escape the traps and gloved hands of a falconer. I wish the wandering peregrines a safe and speedy passage — and good luck.  Same here!! 



KNOXNEWS

At least this has a happy ending! Thanks Kris.

RM still there, Juvie earlier.

I LOVE Christmas!  I've already been buying stuff and to mix it up, I found an adorable Halloween Ghost on vacation with the cutest sneekers!  He's in our office on a speaker and I'm enjoying all 3 feet of him!  My trolls are also out and they'll be grouped with the Jule' Nisse.

I'm in!! I started my shopping!! July is my kickoff month. My tree will be up 1st week in NOV. this year. 

I remember that so well Joyce. S2 started picking up sweet nothings in the nest to try and feed them. It was bittersweet!! That poor girl. 

LONDON — With 149 days still to go before Christmas, London's Harrods and Selfridges department stores have launched their earliest ever Christmas displays.

"Sales in previous years have proved that customers are ready to start thinking about Christmas in the summer, especially visitors from overseas," Selfridges said.

"This year, Selfridges? international visitors have already increased by over 40 percent (from the same period last year), which has encouraged Selfridges to reconsider its traditional August Christmas shop opening, bringing it forward to July for the first time."

Last year Selfridges? Christmas section doubled it sales compared to 2009 in its first week of trade, when more than 2,000 baubles were sold.

"Tourists from countries including China, Russia, Asia, India and USA see choosing a beautiful Christmas decoration as the perfect memento from a foreign trip flock to Selfridges during the summer months," said the company, which has its flagship store on Oxford Street.

Geraldine James, Selfridges Christmas shop buying manager said: ?Christmas is coming earlier each year. I can see a time when we offer a capsule Christmas collection throughout the year."

London's Evening Standard cited Selfridges as saying many tourists from the Middle East had asked to buy Christmas decorations before going home for Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, starting on Monday.

A Harrods spokesman said its Christmas display, which like Selfridges' mini shop opened on Thursday, aims to respond to demand from tourists visiting the UK from June to August.

To mark the launch of Christmas World, the Kensington store's Father Christmas served ice cream in a choice of 12 "yuletide" flavours.   

Looking at the world with amazement. Where do I go next? I love the pics! Thanks

Hangin around