Had a really good time in the field today, despite some challenges. Donna Walker Sullivan joined Ray, Jack and me. We tried a new place, which looked promising, but we tromped around for quite a while before we saw ANY sign of prey life. The trees, a mix of pines and deciduous trees, were reasonably thick, lots of pine needles and leaves on the ground, so we mostly made noise. The crows, numbering a dozen at some points, came after Jack immediately after he took flight from the Jeep roof and never really left him alone, although most of them lost interest in the game. He ignored them. Id really rather he figure out that he CAN catch crows, but that synapse hasnt fired in his mind yet...or they havent annoyed him that much yet. Sigh. But he followed like hes supposed to follow, and after about a half hour-ish, we found a downed tree stump with a field mouse hiding in there. I think Sully pushed it out and Jack rooted around on the ground until he snatched it and horked it down. Sullys got some terrific photos...Im so grateful when folks come into the field with a camera...those are the only photos I get since I just dont have enough hands/brain cells to operate a camera AND pay attention to everything else. ;-) And Sully has some kick-butt photos!! I tripped and fell again, just like yesterday right on my knee, but again just like yesterday, I got back up and didnt break anything. Last year, there wasnt a chance I could have gotten back up. Its not pretty, but what MATTERS is that I got back up and kept on keeping on. If I hadnt fallen, Id have kept on hunting after the first mouse, but I chose not to push it. Yesterdays fall didnt hurt at all, but todays whacked my hip, shoulder and neck, so I thought it best to call it. Again, I remain the weak link in this chain...sigh. Jacks a happy boy. He really doesnt care what he catches as long as he gets something fresh, warm and bloody to eat. But we really need to find him some bunnies or something that will give him more of a challenge. There SHALL be road trips to Sullys place and to a couple other hawksters who tell me they have rabbits. The only delay is I want Mariah to come, too! Mariah was ALMOST ready to begin her flight exercises, but for her first time out, I really want her to be at her perfect weight. Thats a big shame since the nearby high school football field would have been a perfect place for her first (and likely only) creance flight. It likely wont be available tomorrow, but I think Ive got a backup plan. Depends on how high the grasses are.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:38:04 +0000
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