Snow and 8 degrees in Rochester but I'm sure with windchill, it's worse. Right now it's colder here than in Antarctica  

Just spotted this over on the other board from nonasnest11...

MESSAGE FROM MARIAH? ? ? ? ? ? ?

It's winter in Rochester
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Rochester
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Rochester
My feet are frozen to the ground!!!

[So this is where Carol is hiding....in Canada!]

So this is where Carol is hiding....in Canada!  

Well, yeah.   

Cirrus and Sir are very active Peregrines and they're wintering at the bridge.  I really hope that the work being done on the birdge will not affect them.  That would be a shame.

It was a great visit with some really nice folks.

Carol P.

Look what I found over on the CPF site!

http://tinyurl.com/ybpluld

Lucky’s Tail
It was near the end of the2006 Falcon Season.  Rhea Mae was the last of M&K’s young left in the area that year.  Let’s just say she was very spoiled by this time, getting all the food brought in by both her parents.  Just the day before, she had 4 meals, including her first witnessed successful hunt.  This turned out to be lucky for a wayward Cockatiel that flew into the gorge one summer morning...

So now Lucky lives with me and his sister Justice.  Every time I look at Lucky, I remember that day.

Thanks Carol!  I remembered he was rescued during a falcon watch, but I didn't remember Rhea Mae's role in the story...a lucky cockatiel for sure!

Or if you have a request for a story, let us know.

We'd like to hear your favorite M&K, A&B memories and stories.  There are so many, I don't know where to begin.  I will always be grateful to Rhea Mae for sending Lucky to me.  Everytime I look at him, I think about that day.   


So get your thinking caps on and post away.   

So...for those of us whose memory is a bit fuzzy, could you re-tell Lucky's story? Thanks!

While looking up the dates for the Bald Eagle Fest I spotted this news...

Historic 4-Chick Bald Eagle Nest
   
The Delaware Valley Eagle Alliance announces the successful fledging of four bald eagle chicks from a nest along the Delaware River in Northampton County, PA.

the rest of the story & video is here

Hi Donna,

which owl species is it?


Greetings
Annette

I think it may be a red-phase (as opposed to grey-phase) eastern screech owl.

This picture is by Bruce Yolton of a Central Park pair in spring 2009...one red, one grey

Nobody home at the moment, but I just saw this posted...

Monday December 21, 2009
Due to popular demand we are keeping the webcam live a little longer this year so that you can enjoy the brief glimpses of Froona, Barega and Warrun when they return to the nest box, whether it's for a rest or a meal.
 
We hope you have enjoyed the 2009 season at the Alcoa Anglesea nest box and that you will tune in again in 2010.  Thank you for watching.

Thanks Ei, thats very usefull and it explains why the White Storks are there all the time!!! Interesting that the young birds flew to the south without the parents.
And  I think the black Stork will be a wounded bird too. And now I'm wondering will the deer a wounded animal too?
You are sooo good with languages   
greetings Aafke

Google translator is my friend!  I did go through the site looking for other animals, but I wasn't able to find a list.  I get the impression the cam is the nest cam during breeding season.  We'll have to keep an eye on it in the spring!

Just a few miscellaneous things...

Browsing through some pictures...me circa 1960...



From one of my walks...just sort of had a tropical feel somehow as I'm reading of the blizzard that thankfully stayed south of me this time...



New bling for my wheels!



My holiday decorations for this year (p.s.-could someone ask June to please deposit my check!)  My Aunt Justine made Santa for me for my first Christmas as a newlywed.  He used to decorate my chimney, but I don't do the house anymore, so everyone at work gets to enjoy him!



And, just for the record...Mommy kissing Santa Claus is the biggest favorite so far!

Aafke - I have a question/observation:  I thought the storks left Europe for the winter.  Are these early arrivals or do some storks hang around through the winter?  They are so coo!   

I asked google to translate the page and this is what I got...

"Disabled pair of white storks in the animal rescue station Makov 8 years. Both are permanently damaged wing can not fly and stay in the emergency station.
By last year, has successfully bred 14 pups, who, without parents flew to Africa.
Year have 5 eggs, first bring in April 5."

I guess they're permanent residents

From the home page...

"Welcome to Animal Rescue Station Makov.

Every year in the hands of people receive a large number of wounded, sick, exhausted, or otherwise disabled wild animals.  To assist these animals was built in 1993, Rescue Station Animal Makov."

Just testing some new equipment.

That's what I thought 

OK...is someone playing with a new toy?



 

Nova was received from a breeding facility..the breeding facility in Wainright Alberta Canada which was responsible for the captive breeding program for birds released to the wild back when Peregrine conservation started. Recently CPF lost their grande dame of their education program Qtesh. She was over 20 years old. She had been in the Wainright facility as one of the breeding birds who produced many young for release. She was retired to CPF some years ago. When they heard of Qtesh's passing,they offered us a new Peregrine to "take her place". Nova was that bird. He was born(I always say that...hatched of course) in captivity and we accepted him happily. He was acclimated to people and is now a full and valuable member of our feathered educational team.

It's sad that you lost Qtesh-always sad to lose a matriarch like her!  But I'm glad Nova was available to carry on her work!

[We all enjoyed his baby pics with his cuddly toys.]

Nova is doing great. He was at the show,and is in at least the opening day video for sure. He did very well at the 2 shows he has done and is a wonderful addition to the educational team.

We all enjoyed his baby pics with his cuddly toys.

It may have been posted somewhere & I missed it, but how exactly did Nova wind up being in CPF's care at such a young age?  He really was cute with his blankie & toys!

Announcing the release of the new 2010 Shaky Calendar.    

http://www.zazzle.com/2010_shakymon_calendar-158870525584069187

There are many Shaky classics included in this calendar.  

Please be sure to check it out at your earliest convenience.  

And how many calendars can one girl use?  Well...I guess 3 is a good number!  Couldn't wait to get home & order it!