As 2009 Comes to a Close.......Favorite Rochester Falcon Stories

[Carol P.]

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.   

[Carol P.]

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.   

[jeanne]

My requested favorite story is Mariah and Isaura-- when Isaura started losing altitude and Mariah went to assist.  It makes me cry but I love that story.

There are so many sweet stories like Kaver trying to coax Mariah out of the nestbox after she was injured.

Here's a couple of Susan B stories.

I missed Quest's first fledge though spoke with the exhausted   watchers who had to assist when she was  close to traffic.  When I returned, she was hopping and walking on a building across the street and to the left of Kodak.  This was not the typical fledge (why should we be surprised by her now)!  Many times, at first fledge, the falcons seemed to be attracted to those blasted smokestacks or sliding down the roof of Kodak.  She hopped around for 4 hours-- rather than getting tired and staying put.  We hadn't seen Susan B in a day or so.  I think Brian and a couple of others checked for sound near the apts that were being constructed in what used to be "our" parking lot. 

I walked over to the building with Carol P and Jim P.  We saw Quest and she was just hanging out.  Suddenly she flew to the smokestacks.  We were walking over when Jim pointed and mouthed "Susan B."  She was walking in a parking lot near the stacks.  Carol and I walked toward the area and I think, Jim went to get a towel.  When she started walking around parked cars, a rescue was in order.  She walked in through  a fenced area and Brian jumped the fence, covered and grabbed her and put her in the box.  Can't remember who had the water bottle and spritzed her.  Jim took the box to Kodak and released her.  Up close-- as from afar-- she was very cute!

Also during that summer, Dan S., Carol P and I were on a morning watch.  We heard kakking.  It was close.  Sure enough, Susan B was on the bridge on the outside of the railing-- looking at us.  We stayed far from her but worried because we didn't want her to not fear people.  Just an inquisitive baby falcon, that was all!  (Esperanza once landed with a stick near one of the brewery workers and looked up at him).

[Dumpsterkitty]

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!

[Carol P.]

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.

As I pulled up at the east end of the pedestrian bridge, I spotted a few of my fellow Watchers gathered.  All binoculars were up and pointed in the direction of the observation deck on the east side of the High Falls.

I arrived at the same time as Dana and Lou.  Brian ran over and asked if I had any bird food with me.  Well, of course I did!  Never leave home without it.  

Brian then explained that a white Cockatiel had just flown under the pedestrian bridge, heading towards the High Falls.  Rhea Mae had been dozing on the rocks near the observation deck, sleeping off her multiple meals from the day before.

When the Cockatiel approached Rhea Mae, she took off to investigate.  What was this strange white creature that had entered a Falcon’s Territory?  Rhea Mae gave chase.  The Cockatiel dove into a nearby grouping of trees near the railroad track.  That’s where we headed, a handful of sunflower seeds and rescue box in hand.

As we got closer to the trees, Rhea Mae floated just above us, grabbing at leaves.  Dana, Brian and I walked into the small wooded area, searching for the Cockatiel.  Finally, I spotted a small white bird, head tucked under his wing, sound asleep.  There was no way we could reach him and I was afraid that he would be scared into flight.

I stuck out my hand and said three magic words, “Are you hungry?�

Immediately a little white head popped up and he looked down at us.  It only took a moment for him to decide that, yes, he was VERY hungry.  He spread his wings and flew down to us, landing on Dana, who had been standing behind me.  I quickly turned around and grabbed him, gently placing him in the box that Brian and Dana held open.

We carried him back to the pedestrian bridge and everyone was able to see a little orange cheeked face peaking out through the holes in the box.  I decided this little one needed a name and a new home.   That’s how Lucky came to live with me.

Our Vet said he was very lucky.  In fact, he was probably within a day or so of starving.  We attempted to find his owners, but couldn’t.

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

[jeanne]

Carol, was this the same year the mourning dove had its unfortunate experience?  I seem to recall that when Lucky was in the tree, we immediately thought of you and birds.

[Carol P.]

Yes Jeanne.  It was the same year.  2006 is a year that is hard to forget.

Carol, was this the same year the mourning dove had its unfortunate experience?  I seem to recall that when Lucky was in the tree, we immediately thought of you and birds.

[Dumpsterkitty]

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!

[Donna]

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!

There's nothing better than a ~~~LUCKY~~~ Rescue!

[jeanne]

When Rhea Mae fledged and went down the smokestack, I remember the whole falcon family moved across the street and stayed on the stack/catwalk/railings.    The watchers moved too!  What a year!

[valhalla]

There appears to be a Rhea Mae theme developing here 

[Carol P.]

Isaura's Tail - June 24, 2003 (From my Watch Report on the Yahoo Board)

Some of you were not around when the Princess Isaura was born. She
was the only girl that year, with four brothers. She definitely had
Kaver wrapped around her talon. LOL

Here's a fledge watch I will never forget. I apologize to those that
have already read this, but I thought others might want to read it.
We have so many new members.

Isaura's First Day of Flight as Reported on Kodak Birdcam Discussion
Board – June 24, 2003

Fledge Watch - 4:00-9:00 p.m.
I'd like to start my report off by letting everyone know that all 5
babies are accounted for and well, as is Mariah. Kaver was there most
of the time, but took off. I'm sure he was off hunting and will
return soon.

Ok, on with the fledge watch.

As everyone knows it was Isaura's day for adventure. This morning,
Lisa spotted her in a fenced in area below the Bee Bee Station smoke
stack, where she stayed most of the morning.

I met Jim P in the visitor's parking lot across from the Kodak tower.
He had all the babies spotted, including Isaura on the cat walk of
the center smoke stack and Destiny on the NE corner of the 17th Floor
of the tower.

Jim had to leave, so I was on my own until 5:00 p.m. Marcia drove by
and said that she would be back as soon as she parked her car. Oh, by
the way, did I mention how hot it was? No, well, it was very HOT. OK,
on with the report. ;-)

While I was waiting for Marcia to join me, I watched Isaura, who
decided at that moment to take off. I followed her flight from the
stack to the tower. She stopped about 1/2 way over and then headed
back to the smoke stack. She was losing altitude and ended up hitting
the stack below the catwalk. After bouncing off of the stack she
headed north, past all the stacks and towards the gorge. I watched
for about a minute, but she did not reappear.

I went north down Mill St. to the end where it veers to the left.
Straight ahead is Falls St. This street leads down to the river to
the now nearly abandoned Bee Bee Station. I checked out the area to
see if I could spot Isaura. No such luck. Darn, where could she have
gone? :-(

I headed back up to the visitor's parking lot where Marcia joined me,
and explained to her what happened. We both agreed to go down Falls
St. to the river (Genesee River) which is very steep. We went down to
the bottom and again looked around to see if we could spot the little
scoundrel. Still no luck.

I'm glad Marcia was with me at this point because (#1) it's scary
down there and (#2) she has eagle eyes. ;-)

She spoted a falcon flying in circles over a building on the other
side of the river, far away. We figured it must be Mariah circling
over Isaura's location. I just cannot believe that she went that far
on her first day of flying.

We headed back up this very steep road (did I tell you how hot it
was ;-) and walked back to the visitor's parking lot where we were
met by Lisa McK & Linda. We explained to them what happened and we
all headed out to the pedestrian bridge to see if we could see anything from
there.

After a few minutes of looking, someone spotted two falcons heading
back towards the tower from across the river. Guess who it was!
Mariah was escorting Isaura back home. You could tell that Isaura
was really tired. As she lost altitude, Mariah would gently nudge
her from below, until, finally, Isaura landed safely on the tower.
Whew!

I have to say right now, that I have never seen a more beautiful
sight than this mom bringing her baby back safely from so far away. I
just can't imagine how Mariah found her so quickly. It's amazing to
me.

Well, we all headed back to the tower to see where Mariah and Isaura
landed.

Isaura took off at 5:00 p.m. and Mariah had her home at 5:40 p.m. We
were all very happy. ;-)

To this day it still amazes me how Mariah "escorted" Isaura back to
the tower. I didn't have a camera back then, so I never got any
pictures. I can still see Mariah gently "nudging" Isaura from
slightly below and behind her. Mariah is the best Peregrine mom
ever. ;-)

Carol P.

[Kris G.]

I've never heard these tales before, Carol, so thanks for sharing them with us.

                       Kris

[valhalla]

Isaura's Tail - June 24, 2003 (From my Watch Report on the Yahoo Board)

Some of you were not around when the Princess Isaura was born. She
was the only girl that year, with four brothers. She definitely had
Kaver wrapped around her talon. LOL

To this day it still amazes me how Mariah "escorted" Isaura back to
the tower. I didn't have a camera back then, so I never got any
pictures. I can still see Mariah gently "nudging" Isaura from
slightly below and behind her. Mariah is the best Peregrine mom
ever. ;-)

Carol P.

I cried the first time I read this not too long ago and I'm crying again.  M&K were simply special and unique - they had that magic that clicked (yes, I'm personifying them, but some "critters" have "it") and from that magic they taught parenting.

[jeanne]

 

I love this story!! 

  Mariah is  such a special falcon and such a wonderful mom. 

I'm not sure where falls st is and which building???

Thanks so much, Carol!!!