Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Ginha and Dave!

Paul

Ontario photographer posted Larry Kirtley posted these a year ago on the CMNH site, but they are worth looking at again as the holidays approach.





The falcon is Rotor (S/42), hatched in 2008 at the Eastlake Power Plant, in Ohio. and already able to obtain a Canada Goose for a holiday meal.  Our family has a tradition of taking turns reading A Christmas Carol aloud by the fire during Advent.  Like the Cratchit family, Rotor got a nice goose for dinner. This year, her brother, Ranger (B/92) is the new male at Terminal Tower in Cleveland, relpacing Buckeye.

Paul

What he said is true.  If you go there in the winter, you will get to see Bald Eagles.  Since school winter vacation has started early because of the snow, it is very likely that there will be another  family eagle trip soon.  Pizza and eagles -- can't beat that.

Paul

Who is Catherine's friend?

A Harris Hawk named Tex.  Fifteen years ao, she was believed to be a large (Texas-sized) male, hence the name.

The snow is still accumulating here.  After doing Christmas cards by the window, watching it fall, it's off to the indoor pool.

Everyone in the area affected by the storm, take care.

Paul

No Zuzu reports, because we are experiencing the storm from Hot Springs, VA, far off in the western part of the state.  The snow has stopped, at least for now, with about 2 feet or about .6 meters on the ground.  It is really beautiful.  It began at 3 PM yesterday afternoon.  We hope things will be at least somewhat cleared up for our trip home.  In the meanwhile, here are two pictures from yesterday and one from this morning.

Paul

"...They have a strange appetite for skunks.�

This is my quote of the day.

Paul

Our deepest sympathy for you and your family.  I really enjoyed having Fred as a member of this group.  I'm glad that the love of nature and the outdoors was something he was able to pass on to his children.

Paul

Maybe Sven, Ole, and Lena have decided to spend the holidays with relatives in the old country.

[National Eat a Gull Week]

Another redtail eating a gull!  Is this National Eat a Gull Week or something?  I hadn't known that redtails were able to catch gulls or even interested in doing such.  Back when I was in grad school, I delighted in borrowing my roommate's car with its "Eat More Possum" bumper sticker.  Great for dates and faculty-student cocktail parties.  It prompted much conversation, but changed nobody's eating habits.  I guess redtails are unlike people. Anyhow, great pictures.

Paul

If God watches over the sparrow, then surely the lovebird.  It was so caring of you to put her in the place that she loved so much.

Paul

Hmmm...
Edgar Allan Poe, buried in Baltimore...
Wrote the Raven...
Just a thought....
 

Loch Raven Boulevard...

Paul

I often notice a lot of gulls here in the Washington, DC, area after a storm passes offshore. Maybe the gull in your yard is low because it is hunting for food.

Paul

Quest was back in Canada again.  Now that we have more daytime transmissions, it looks as if she has been ranging all over the lake.

http://rfalconcam.com/imprinting/?page_id=737

Paul

Somehow, I'd missed out on the Sabrina news last April, so there were several surprises for me in Imprints this morning.  Cornpoppy's geneology chart is wonderful.

Paul

You may not have found Quest, but both trips look to have been wonderful adventures.  Thanks for taking us along!  The GIANT FIELD CROWS exceeded all expectations.  They were wonderful!  The Lennox plant, in addition to being covered with pigeons,  seems to combine the best features of the BB plant and the High Falls Brewery.

Thanks again,

Paul