Oh my, what a lovely, lovely bird. She is astonishingly beautiful. This photo was taken by Susan Ahalt of Ironsides Bird Rescue in Cody WY some time ago. But at least all of you can see her.

John got to my house at about 8:30 on Sunday night. Thank you Isaac Grassel for going with John to Cody this weekend! You made it an extra fun trip for him.

Last night we brought her in the house, body grabbed her, hooded her and added the jesses, swiivel and leash to her new anklets. We put her and some dinner in her jump box and attached her to her perches. She can freely move between bow perch out front and jump box for shelter.

This morning at 6:15 she was perched calmly on her bow perch. We want to give her a couple days to get accustomed to her surroundings and the new leg gear before we begin the process of training.

Maggie

Imagine our surprise when John went to Elise's mew this evening and she was looking particularly satisfied with herself.  She rose up from her nest of sticks in her jumpbox and began "cheeping".  His eyes flew wide with shock as she revealed an egg.  A gorgeous egg to behold.  Slightly speckled brown on the wide end, and a lovely pale blue-green. 

Now we knew she was being very broody this spring.  She even landed on the head of a volunteer in order to express her disatisfaction with having a stranger in her personal space.  But we did not expect this from a 23 yr old Matron!  Her last egg, according to records, was laid in 2008.  Her history with eggs has not shown her best qualities as a mother, she has generally ignored them once laid.  But she is very maternalistic with the recent production. 

We would like to give her a substitute plastic egg filled with sand, and pull this unfertile egg. We will blow it clean and keep it as an educational prop.

In the photo, note how she has tucked her talons under her leg to protect the egg. Raptors are exceedingly careful when walking in the nest in order to protect the eggs from being stepped on.

Update: Thursday, April 12th, 2012.  Elise has laid yet another egg.  She is very proud of herself and her eggs. 

Update: Sunday April 14, 2012. We have a count of three lovely eggs. Elise will defend her space actively if she thinks it is being threatened. Thank goodness John and Maggie are allowed in to clean and feed!

For the second year we have traveled to Jamestown, ND to present our programs at their annual Outdoor Sports and Recreation Show.  Last year was a blast, this year was much the same.  Again this year, two local Jamestown businesses funded our program, Grabinger Marine and Gun & Reel.  

Tanea Clocksene, the general manager of Two Rivers Broadcasting, took over running this show several years ago.  Her goal was to bring in whole families and she was looking for a "draw".  Somehow she found us and the rest is history. 

This year we provided 5 formal programs and answered hundreds of informal questions.  Between programs we were able to offer a slide show of wonderful outdoor photos courtesy of Les Voorhis of Focus West Gallery, Spearfish SD. 

We did our best to entertain ourselves on the drive up and back by competing to spot raptors. Winter seasonal raptors seen include three snowy owls, a gyrfalcon, and lots of rough legged hawks.  Quite a number of red-tailed hawks were seen, as well as a wonderful great horned owl, and several bald eagles.

What a ride! A big thank you to Tanea, Two Rivers Broadcasting, and everyone in Jamestown for their wonderful hospitality.