THE FORUM

28-Mar-24, 12:47:30 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Note: The views expressed on this page are not necessarily those of GVAS or Rfalconcam.
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Rochester Falcons Stories  (Read 20134 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Carol P.
Global Moderator
Never Leaves 'Puter
*********

Like Count: 1003
Offline Offline

Posts: 9,127


Fly Baby Fly!


View Profile
« on: 06-Dec-11, 05:10:34 PM »

So, who remembers what happened in 2006?
Logged

Peregrines know no borders.....
MAK
Glued to Keyboard
*

Like Count: 486
Offline Offline

Posts: 10,975


Nature Rules!


View Profile
« Reply #1 on: 06-Dec-11, 05:38:35 PM »

 ??? Why don't you tell us Carol!  gum
Logged

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
-John Burroughs
Kris G.
Never Leaves 'Puter
*********

Like Count: 166
Offline Offline

Posts: 7,473



View Profile
« Reply #2 on: 06-Dec-11, 06:06:29 PM »

That was the year I started lurking-came in at the end so didn't realize what was going on.  Through Carol's stories, I learned that Mariah was hurt and Kaver assumed many roles-provider, nurturer, supportive mate-showing what a special Falcon he was.
Logged

jeanne
I'm Not Addicted
********

Like Count: 214
Offline Offline

Posts: 2,528



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: 06-Dec-11, 06:09:11 PM »

That was the year I started lurking-came in at the end so didn't realize what was going on.  Through Carol's stories, I learned that Mariah was hurt and Kaver assumed many roles-provider, nurturer, supportive mate-showing what a special Falcon he was.

And that precious Kaver would try to get her to fly.  I think that was also the year Rhea Mae took a tumble down the smokestack.  What a nerve-wracking year!
Logged

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"

                Anatole France
AlisonL
Falcon
*******

Like Count: 41
Offline Offline

Posts: 1,876


View Profile
« Reply #4 on: 06-Dec-11, 06:39:10 PM »

That was the year Mariah laid six eggs. Sadly, only three chicks survived; Rhea Mae, Sabrina and Aura. Mariah demonstrated how courageous she is, and Kaver showed was an incredible tiercel he was.

I can't wait to read your stories from 2006, Carol P.!



Logged
nwfloridafalconfan
Juvie
*****

Like Count: 28
Offline Offline

Posts: 258



View Profile
« Reply #5 on: 06-Dec-11, 08:07:48 PM »

Posted May 10, 2006  11:02 AM

Well, now that you folks have been brought up to speed on Mariah's
injured foot, I can come out of semi-lurkerdom.

The watchers have been out over the past few days, and excuse me for
saying this, we've been watching her like a "HAWK!". 

None of us have reported on her condition because we were waiting to
see what the experts had to say.  As Jim said, we're in watch and
wait mode.

I took a few hours off yesterday afternoon to watch Mariah.  Geeze, I
feel like I'm on Fledge Watch already.  But we'll do anything for our
Mariah.

I sensed there was something wrong on Saturday, when Kaver was in the
nest box all day long.  He even seemed surprised when the first eyas
broke out of his/her shell beneath him.  I kept thinking, where is
Mariah!

For those that are watching M&K for the first time, be assured that
an uninjured Mariah is a Super-Mom.  It was breaking my heart to see
her struggling just to remain upright, putting her wing down for
balance, when she came in to cover the eggs.  A few folks sent us
Emails stating that Mariah wasn't a really good mom and that Kaver
was an outstanding father (which he is!!!).  But it made me so sad to
think that Mariah was being thought of as a sub-standard mom.    I
understand that they didn't know about her injury and they couldn't
judge on past years, but it still hurt.  Just my way too human
emotions taking over.  Sorry.

Each day she seems to improve just a little bit.  She's dealing with
her injury.  Yes, an eyas escapes now and then, but I think she's
doing a fine job of keeping them protected and fed.

Kaver is doing an outstanding job of compensating for Mariah's
weakness.  He's been helping to feed the eyases and at one time
yesterday, he actually came into the nest box and fed Mariah!

Marcia, Dan and I first noticed that her leg was hanging down while
she was in flight on Sunday.  We were very worried.  But, the good
news is, that her flight is strong and her landings are on the most
part successful.  The only time she has problems is when she carries
prey in her "good" foot and tries to land on her "bad" foot.  Dan and
I saw evidence of this yesterday afternoon when she tried to land on
the center smoke stack's catwalk and missed the railing, landing on
the floor of the catwalk.  I believe that she ate her dinner before
she flew up to the catwalk railing.  She remained there for about an
hour before returning to the nest box.

So, be assured that we will be watching her very intensely.

I'll post an album tonite with some pictures of Mariah in flight.

If you have any questions at all, please post them and we'll try to
answer them for you.

Take care,
Carol P.
Logged
Carol P.
Global Moderator
Never Leaves 'Puter
*********

Like Count: 1003
Offline Offline

Posts: 9,127


Fly Baby Fly!


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: 06-Dec-11, 09:55:25 PM »

Here's a summary of what happened in 2006.  This is what I remember.  Isn't looking up Rochester Falcon History fun?   clap

2006 M&K - The Bad Year

2006 started out as a very good year for the Rochester Falcons Mariah & Kaver.  Kaver returned on time from his migration.  He and Mariah immediately started to renew their bonds.  After four very successful seasons with this beautiful pair, all of us were looking forward to another year of watching young eyases grow and fledge and learn to be Peregrines.
 
Everything was going well.  In fact, things were going fantastically.  Mariah had laid six eggs!  SIX EGGS!  WOOHOO!  In past years she had laid, at most, five eggs.  The Kodak forum was alive with excitement!
 
As the expected hatch day approached, all eyes were glued to the Kodak Birdcam.  Mariah and Kaver shared brooding duties.  A couple of the forum members tracked the times that each of them spent on the eggs.  Mariah did most of the work, but Kaver so enjoyed sitting on “his” eggs that Mariah and he sometimes would get into “stand-offs”.  Mariah would enter the nest box and hover above Kaver, getting closer and closer and Kaver looking everywhere but at Mariah.  It was very humorous to all that would watch.  Pictures would be posted minute by minute, catching every movement.  Most times Kaver would stand, stretch his wings and tentatively step over the eggs he so adored.  But every now and then, Mariah would just stand next to him, just touching.  They would remain that way for hours, content.  Those were the classic stand-offs.  Those were the moments we loved to watch.
 
Hatch day came.  Kaver was on the eggs.  I was watching intently along with everyone else.  I started to sense something was wrong.  Where was Mariah?  I hadn’t seen her on the eggs for a very long time.  That was so unlike her, especially when hatching was so close.  Kaver remained on the eggs, looking a little antsy.  He kept fidgeting, standing up and checking out the eggs, then sitting back down.  To my shock, he stood up again and pulled out a piece of egg shell.  No way!  Mariah NEVER missed a hatch.  Where was she?  I was really starting to worry.  That was the first time that an eyas had hatched under Kaver and he just looked so lost.
 
Finally, Mariah showed up in the nest box, but something was very wrong.  Kaver left and Mariah attempted to cover the newborn eyas.  In those days, we didn’t have streaming video to watch, so it was just static pictures every couple minutes.  She seemed to be using her wing for support and you could see that something was wrong with her foot or leg.  Something was desperately wrong.  I immediately called Kenn Martinez.  He was in control of the cameras back then and was able to see the streaming video.  He was able to capture some video snippets, showing Mariah’s movements and her curled up foot.  They were sent to the DEC and our friends at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation who shared them with Peregrine specialists up in Canada.  Everyone was worried.
 
The eggs continued to hatch.  Four young eyases made it into the world under a struggling Mariah and the watchful eye of Kaver.  One of them died in front of us as Mariah tried so hard to cover her four young ones.  The 5th eyas attempted to hatch, but did not make it and the 6th egg did not hatch at all.  Many tears were shed.  We had never before witnessed the death of an eyas.  As much as we all loved viewing these wild creatures year after year, that year we cried for their loss.
 
The experts had varying opinions, but it was obvious to all that Mariah had injured her foot somehow.  We would never know how.  All said she would either heal or she wouldn’t.  We all watched hoping that she and her three surviving eyases would be ok.
 
That year, Kaver became a super dad.  He did all the hunting, bringing in food continuously to Mariah and the eyases.  Just after Mariah showed up with her injury, I was on the phone with Kenn when Kaver came in with food.  Mariah was standing the best she could, leaning on her good foot & wing with the eyases in front of her.  She was unable to grab the food from Kaver like she usually would.  She couldn’t hold it down and tear off small pieces of meat to feed her fluffy white eyases.  Kenn was watching the streaming video.  I could only see one picture at a time, refreshing as frequently as I could.  All of sudden Kenn went silent and I heard him say “Oh My God…”  I said, What!  What’s wrong!  I feared the worse.  He said, “He’s feeding her.”  I started to cry.  They said this would not happen.  Again this incredible pair proved everyone wrong.  Kenn was able to save this snippet of film to send to the experts.  It showed Kaver biting off small chunks of meat and passing them to Mariah.  She would then lower her beak to the eyases, feeding them one by one.  Every now and then, she would take one of the morsels for herself.  I believe there was one picture captured of Kaver placing a piece into her beak.
 
Mariah got stronger and stronger.  She was finally able to put some weight on her injured foot.  Not relying on her wing as much for balance.  Just after her injury, I took flight shots of her with her leg dangling below her, not tucked in as usual.  Once I watched her fly up to Kaver and grab prey from him with her good foot.  She struggled to hang onto it, landing on the catwalk of the High Falls smoke stack.  She missed the landing on the railing and fell onto the floor of the catwalk.  She pulled herself up and hopped, dragging the prey with her to the edge of the catwalk.  She steadied herself and started to pluck feathers.  By mid summer, her foot was much better.  She was able to hunt on her own, but Kaver still did more than his share of hunting and feeding his eyases.
 
2006 began with joy, then sorrow, then hope, then joy.  That year many folks were privileged to watch this pairs’ struggle to raise their young.  That year three young eyases fledged from the nest box on top of the Kodak Tower.  Three strong fledglings named Rhea Mae, Aura and Sabrina.  The Rochester Watchers gathered on the pedestrian bridge above the Genesee River Gorge, with the beautiful High Falls in the background.  They watched three young fledglings learn to be Peregrines under the watchful eyes of their parents, Mariah & Kaver.
 
I had the honor that year of naming one of them.  Her name is Rhea Mae.  She and her brother Sabrina aka Valliant now have mates and are raising young of their own.  Rhea Mae is nesting on top of the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto with Tiago and Valliant is nesting with his mate on the Ogdensburg Bridge in NY.  Of Aura, we have no word.  She was the beautiful Golden Aura that year, very light in color in contrast to darker Rhea Mae.  We all hope she is doing well.
Logged

Peregrines know no borders.....
MAK
Glued to Keyboard
*

Like Count: 486
Offline Offline

Posts: 10,975


Nature Rules!


View Profile
« Reply #7 on: 06-Dec-11, 10:30:33 PM »

Wow what an emotional roller coaster that year had to be. I sure have missed alot of falcon watching! Thanks for sharing Carol.  Grin
Logged

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
-John Burroughs
Kris G.
Never Leaves 'Puter
*********

Like Count: 166
Offline Offline

Posts: 7,473



View Profile
« Reply #8 on: 06-Dec-11, 10:35:10 PM »

Maybe a watcher would share the story of Jemison, firstborn son (banded female but thought to be male) of Beauty and Archer, who was rescued not once but twice. And Callidora, his dominating sister! Who could forget her first flight!  I still laugh thinking about how she flapped and flapped as she paced back and forth on the nest box roof.  When she finally took off, she dropped straight down! As first-time parents, Beauty and Archer did a great job with these two.  It was just sad that Jemison never really got a chance to fly the skies with his parents and sister but thankfully he was releasable after his injury and his release video was a thrill for all to watch!
Logged

Tokira
Juvie
*****

Like Count: 142
Offline Offline

Posts: 406


Kaetzchen Gabriella of Tokira


View Profile
« Reply #9 on: 06-Dec-11, 11:02:18 PM »


Finally, Mariah showed up in the nest box, but something was very wrong.  Kaver left and Mariah attempted to cover the newborn eyas.  In those days, we didn’t have streaming video to watch, so it was just static pictures every couple minutes.  She seemed to be using her wing for support and you could see that something was wrong with her foot or leg. 

I sat at my desk at work that day with tears streaming down my face, it's a good thing I didn't have any clients...
Carol
WV
Logged
MAK
Glued to Keyboard
*

Like Count: 486
Offline Offline

Posts: 10,975


Nature Rules!


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: 06-Dec-11, 11:32:32 PM »

   I have a terrible memory but I can give my take on that fateful day back in 2010. It was the July 4th weekend and though I can't say what happened before I remember I was by myself at falcon central which is the stairs that go from the Broad St. bridge down to Aqueduct St. We watchers gathered there with our chairs and watched for a fledge. Anyway, a Rochester Police officer who knew of the falcons and us watchers drove over to me and said they had one of our falcons over at the Rochester International Hotel on States Street. So I jumped in the truck and whipped over there. I remember being very nervous for I didn't know what I would find and it was my first year of watching and I was a rookie. When I got there an animal control officer had our sweet boy Jemison in a pet crate. Jemisons eyes stared into mine and I instantly bonded with him. Someone from the hotel staff told me he saw it out in the grass in front of the hotel and called animal control. I was told they were taking him to a vet and then the guy closed the door of the crate. It all happened so quickly. I remember feeling real bad that they took the little guy away before I could contact any of the veteran watchers. I felt I had failed somehow. It was this day that I found out how truly special the other watchers are and the ones who watch from afar. I remember talking to Janet and Donna on the phone as we waited for word on dear Jemison. They were very reassuring and compassionate as were ALL the watchers in the field with me.
   After an agonizing wait we got word that Jemison checked out alright and Jim Pisello would be bringing Jemison back to be released. When Jim arrived we were allowed to look at Jemi in the crate quickly before they headed up to the nestbox for the release. As soon as Jemison came out of that carrier he went straight down and we all knew he in fact was not alright. He managed to fly around to the north side of the Times Square building where nobody could see what happened next. When we got over there the parking attendant said this bird had crashed into a window and then flew up on the ledge of the Times Square building. For 4 agonizing hours we kept watch on Jemi with his drooping wing until he finally tried to fly off and ended up on the ground. All the watchers circled him and closed off his exit and Dana was able to throw Jeannes jacket I believe over him and the second rescue of Jemison was complete. It was a long emotional day for all and to top it off a woman smashed into Jeannes car as she was driving across to join the rest of us at the Aqueduct St. parking lot. Thankfully nobody got hurt and our watch was officially over.
   Anyone who wants to elaborate on the days activities please do!  heart
Logged

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
-John Burroughs
Donna
I'm Falcon Crazy
*

Like Count: 1650
Offline Offline

Posts: 25,377


<3 FLY FREE "CHARLOTTE" <3


View Profile
« Reply #11 on: 06-Dec-11, 11:46:36 PM »

Mother's Day 2006 was.........probably one I'll never forget. It was a cold, rainy day and 1 little eyas was exposed to the elements. We were all glued to out PC's  that day. I'll never forget it. Sad Yes, Mariah was injured and Kaver fed her and made sure all the eyas's were fed. He took good care of his girl.  heart

Kris, the day Cali decided to fledge was one of those heart-stopping days also. She just ran off the edge, or so we thought. Oh moments like that just stay with you. Phew!!!

Jemison, oh boy, there's another story. (Huh MAK)?

LOL, funny MAK you were posting the same time as me! Well, there ya go!!
Logged

nwfloridafalconfan
Juvie
*****

Like Count: 28
Offline Offline

Posts: 258



View Profile
« Reply #12 on: 07-Dec-11, 12:08:29 AM »

05/11/06
Logged
MAK
Glued to Keyboard
*

Like Count: 486
Offline Offline

Posts: 10,975


Nature Rules!


View Profile
« Reply #13 on: 07-Dec-11, 12:10:25 AM »

05/11/06

SWEET!  heart
Logged

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
-John Burroughs
Bobbie Ireland
I'm Not Addicted
********

Like Count: 177
Offline Offline

Posts: 4,661


View Profile
« Reply #14 on: 07-Dec-11, 06:19:33 AM »

Enjoying your stories so much, MAK. Thanks!
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines

Sponsored By

Times Square
powered by Shakymon