Yesterday, I picked up my new peregrine falcon. Terry has named her Bella, which is the Italian word for beautiful. And she is a beauty!
She is 3 months old. Her training begins today as we become friends while she feeds on my fist and I walk around exposing her to new sights and sounds.
Bella will be my main hunting partner this fall, along with my English setter, Spike.
Some of you may know that my previous peregrine, Keeper, was killed by a coyote last winter as he was on the ground wrestling with a Hungarian partridge.
Yes, even predators are always prey for something else bigger than themselves.
I expect that Bella, Spike, and I will have great times together this season as she learns to hunt, stoop (diving from great heights), follow me in the sky, and use her feet in hitting and holding onto sharp-tail grouse, pheasants, and other game birds on the Montana prairies.
I will also enjoy the company of two fellow falconers who have become dear friends to me, Jay and Ted. We do a lot of hunting together. I especially enjoy their company because everybody always roots and cheers for the other person’s falcon. There is no competition. We all are fans of the falcons, no matter who has done the training. I love that about our camaraderie.
I am supremely blessed to enjoy the life that the Lord has
given to me. I don’t take it for granted (or for granite!).
You may also recall that peregrine falcons in the lower 48 states neared extinction by the late 1960s. But due to vital federal regulations and the diligent work of North American falconers, the peregrine population today is probably stronger than it has ever been.
During the summers I volunteer with the Montana Peregrine Institute (headed by my friend, Jay). I observe a cliff sight near my home to monitor nesting success. This year they fledged 3
young. On my last visit, I had the chance to watch all 3 chase and dive bomb each other for a good 45 minutes as they began their own lives in God’s creation.
A good 75% of raptors do not survive their first year. It’s tough being a predator, and nature can be brutal.
But when I began my falconry career in high school, I thought that I would never have the chance to fly a peregrine of my own. They were almost extinct. To now be blessed with my third is a gift from God I will never underestimate.
