Last March

[patsy6]

I was just thinking that it was a year ago yesterday, 3/26, when Archer somehow hurt his legs, and it's a year ago this coming Friday when Unity laid the angel egg while Archer was recuperating on B&L.  I still miss them.  Little did we know that there were even more sad times to come, or that the season would end on a happy note with the arrival of the handsome young Orion.   

[Dumpsterkitty]

Bittersweet roller coaster for sure...

[margaret]

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

[MAK]

And I will breathe easier once we get past Easter as there seems to always be some sort of drama attached to that holiday around here! 

Archer

Unity

Calidora

[Joyce]

And I will breathe easier once we get past Easter as there seems to always be some sort of drama attached to that holiday around here! 

Archer

Unity

Calidora

And...Mariah was our first Easter tragedy. Ever since, more watchers have been out on Easter Sunday. Superstitious?  I'll breathe easier too.

[patsy6]

Is that when Mariah was injured? 

[Dumpsterkitty]

Is that when Mariah was injured?  

Yup. Carol & Brian weren't supposed to be out watching that day. I don't recall the details, but they went out anyway. They saw the battle and rescued Mariah from a doorway.

http://rfalconcam.com/imprinting/?p=684

[patsy6]

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.

[margaret]

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.
 
 

[patsy6]

Oh, I so wish I'd been paying attention back in 2008 when "the glorious five" were being raised here in Rochester.  What a joyous time that must have been! 

[Donna]

Oh, I so wish I'd been paying attention back in 2008 when "the glorious five" were being raised here in Rochester.  What a joyous time that must have been! 

 Every year was joyous since I've been watching 2002/2003 season! I was hooked when I first saw Mariah/Kaver    and back then you had to refresh the cams! My, how far we have come since!

[patsy6]

Indeed!