And just for the record for anyone starting to feel anxious about the date...

Mariah laid a 1st egg as late as 4/14
Rhea Mae is late this year...4/1 is the latest she has ever laid a 1st egg. And Erin is late too...she's always within a day of Rhea Mae.
Harlequin was laid 4/21 or 4/23
Jemison & Callidora were laid 4/8-4/15

It's all good.

And no one was as last as Orion's egg last year!  When was that?  June? 

Hey, MAK - hope you are better!

Not yet Bobbie-I actually feel worse today than yesterday. 

Just catching up...again!  ...but hope that you are feeling better, MAK!   I don't know what is ailing you but I do know there is a nasty cold thingie going around and there is an even nastier stomach bug.  This is the season of winter colds that just won't end.  I had mine last weekend!  Take care of you, and don't  over do it!

 

Quest has an egg for sure! Pics to follow!

DEF just posted a photo over on BCAW too, yay Quest!  Same day as her big sister!  

 
Congraulations to Quest and Kendal and to Rhea Mae and Tiago!   That's the ways it's done!                Great genes!  

http://youtu.be/umDAf4jGlSc

I'm sorry...is that a semi-reluctant bow?   Listen to poor Beauty.  He doesn't make a sound.  Just kind of pops in and pops out again in less than a few seconds....reminds me of....never mind!

YIPPEE  Donna

Pictures are amazing. He seems so reluctant to get in that NB and bow to B!  He raised Orion in that NB last year?   What gives?

Glad to hear it, MAK.  Funny, for not having offspring herself, Unity was connected to many of our falcons; niece and rival of Beauty, cousin of Orion, and mate to Archer and Dot.ca.  And though Pigott doesn't know it, in many ways she is Unity's successor.  Let's hope she becomes a mom and has a long and healthy life.

I'm all for that Pat! 

 
Yes, wouldn't it be wounderful if there were two nests here this year, and two sets of babies?  Am I asking too much?

Saddest thing is, not a single off spring from such a magnificent falcon.

True dat! 

I firmly believe if it hadn't been for her egg in the nest box that Dot & Beauty wouldn't have worked it out last year. So she did help Orion into the world...

I do believe that despite all the sadness of last Good Friday, that some "good" did come out it in that Unity's egg did keep Orion company, and maybe brought some solidarity to the partnering of Beauty and Doc.ca - which has still been uneasy this year.  I hope, Carol, that you will once again post that wonderful picture you took of Unity an the Moon! 

Gimme an "F"

"Who needs Pilates or Planet Fitness? I have DC chasing me around!"   Beauty in a relaxed mood.

Wow, how very sad to read that "Imprints" and to see those pictures.  They brought tears to my eyes just now and I wasn't even following the Rochester falcons in 2009.  And it's so curious to read the comments.  We have said the same things about Beauty, who battled Mariah, and we mourned the loss of Unity, who battled Beauty. It's so very hard for us humans to accept, but it's the way of the falcon.

Very astute observation, Patsy.  It is hard for us mere mortals to see this.   And can you imagine how Carol P, and Joyce and those who have been following these falcons for years felt?   I did follow on kodak cam for a long time, then lost track for a bit, and took it back up loosely for the 2006 hatch, but fell in love with the the 2008  antics of Mariah and Kaver - which resulted in the hatch of the glorious five - including our Quest who is now in Toronto.   We are so privileged to be able to peer into the lives of these  birds  .  I read the comments on Imprints today too.  Some of the same people remain today and comment, and I had the same thoughts as you. I guess it truly is "the circle of life". 
Today, this week, we remember Mariah, and Kaver, and all of their offspring and grand-offspring, and Archer, and Unity, and UT, and all the others who have shared space and time with us.  It is the way of the falcon.
 
 

DC brings a gift to Beauty

Beauty eats his gift!

he watches her eat

 

 

'bout time Dot.Ca!  
 

I was thinking of that same thing too ---these last couple of days.  THings change so fast.

 So waiting for DC to come to the nest. I want to see if he still chirps!!

I thought the course of events were: migrator returns, courts female by offering her gifts of food, bonding at the nest site and flying displays.  If she accepts him, knowing he is strong and a good provider, then she mates with him. DC swoops on her for days, no offers of food that we are aware of, no nest bonding but yet she mates with him.  What's wrong with this picture?  

Perhaps the initial assumptions are what's wrong.

Guess Beauty and DC didn't read the manual.

Beauty and DC are too busy re-writing the falcon manual!   Perhaps Doc. ca needs to know that SHE is strong and a good provider.  She wasn't in great shape last  year when she came back from rehab, and then Unity - his bonded mate for a short time - disappeared.  

Yes, Joyce, but a picture is worth 1000 WORDS! 

   And if those pictures could talk!

[Rhea Mae]

Rhea Mae

Born of Matriarch
Named for Matriarchs
Matriarch to be

 

Yes, we cannot forget this. 

Amazing pictures.  You have an amazing camera and an amazing talent with the camera!  Thank you!.