The Falconer's Wife

Fly, Fly, Gracie

by The Falconer's Wife on April 20, 2012

My husband recently decided to let Gracie, his first red-tailed hawk, fly free. Only 20% of most hawks in the wild make it to maturity (due to many reasons including disease and poisoning from eating tainted rodents). A hawk that has an opportunity to be with a falconer has a greater chance of surviving when it is released, as it will be stronger and healthier than if it were in the wild. I had a chance to take a few photos before he released her:

Gracie about to eat her last easy meal.

Gracie after eating that mouse.

She has such beautiful color and angles.

Argos waiting patiently.

Gracie (her beautiful red tail) and Theo

A Profile of Gracie

Just about to be released.

Gracie sits in the tree, unsure of her new found freedom.

My husband, saying a final farewell to Gracie.

Gracie finally flies away after about 15 minutes. Can you find her flying in the trees?

My husband has a new hawk now, a male, whose name is Oz. Stay tuned for photos and news about this new addition to our family!

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The Nature of Gratitude

by The Falconer's Wife on March 31, 2012

Every once in a while, you come across a person, a book, a quote, a moment with nature, or even an inspiration born of your own heart that reminds you of the simplicity and wonder of life. I’ve been following a few inspirational bloggers over the past year and am continually amazed at the depth and beauty of humanity that is present in humankind amidst all of the chaos and degradation in the world. There are many shining lights out there and I’m always honored and excited to find them when I do.

Today, a fellow blogger released an ebook entitled, “The Courage to Face Ingratitude…and other indignities.” The ebook, based on a popular series of posts on his blog is an artfully written guide on how to face ingratitude, thanklessness and even hate from others. What do you do when someone doesn’t appreciate you, doesn’t care how their actions affect you or seeks to denigrate you? I don’t remember ever learning how to handle these things in school, yet this is something that every single person faces in their lives. On the other hand, we are not only affected by the ingratitude of others, they are affected by our ingratitude.

Although most of my blog has been dedicated to the sport of falconry (through my husband) and photography, with a sprinkling of poetry and the arts, none of this would be possible without the inspiration that comes from appreciation. Appreciation (gratitude) is what opens my heart and allows me to see what otherwise I would not.

If you, like me, feel that you can make a difference in the world and are committed to being a catalyst for change, then I’d highly recommend this ebook – you’ll love it. You can find it at www.gregghake.com. And, like gratitude, it’s free.

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The Windhover (Falco Tinnunculus)

by The Falconer's Wife on April 16, 2011

The Kestrel (photo by deoroller)

I came across this beautiful poem about the Kestrel, which is a small falcon only a little bigger than a Robin. It’s distinctly colorful and when it hunts, it “hovers” in the currents of the wind.

It was written by Gerard Hopkins and published in 1918. He admires this remarkable bird of prey alluding that it controls the wind as a man might control a horse. The kestrel then suddenly swoops downwards and “rebuffs the big wind”.

The Windhover

I caught this morning morning’s minion, kingdom of daylight’s dauphin,
dapple-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! Then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend; the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird–the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

Brute beauty and valor and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle! And the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!

No wonder of it; sheer plod makes plow down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion.

by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Now that you’ve felt his immense delight for this bird’s prowess and design, watch this video of the kestrel floating on the currents of the wind with its eye to the ground for a tasty morsel.

I loved how Hopkin’s described the Kestrel as “daylight’s dauphin, dapple-drawn Falcon.” You can see in this video the beautiful dapple coloring in its wings. The Kestrel is also known as the “Windhover” as it requires a slight headwind in order to hover.

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Red-Tail Hawk Spring Photo Shoot

by The Falconer's Wife on April 7, 2011

Enjoying a beautiful moment on a cool yet sunny spring day with my husband, two dogs and Gracie. I took a bunch of photos and here are the best of the bunch.

Pretty Girl

Gracie has such an intense stare with those golden eyes.

Beautiful Profile

I thought this shot had interesting angles and colors.

More intensity from a few steps back!

I'm continually in awe of her - just stunning!

This was a defensive stance to make herself look larger as our Golden Retriever approached.

A stately pose!

The sky is so blue here. I love the shadow under her wings and sun on her breast feathers

There's a turkey vulture (top right) that kept circling above us

Again - pooch coming a little too close!

Do you ever feel like you're being watched?

Yikes! It's more than a feeling!

Ok, think exit strategy...that tree looks good up there.

The film on her eyes is the nictitating membrane which protects their eyes when hunting, flying at fast speeds or feeding their chicks, keeping their most precious asset clean.

Can you feel any mice or squirrels in there? Falconers regularly check the keel feeling the musculature and level of fat on the bird.

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Hawks on the Hunt – A Photographic Story

by The Falconer's Wife on March 31, 2011

On a recent hunting trip in South Georgia, these falconers and their hawks hunted together for squirrels, a common prey for the Red-tailed Hawk. The photos illustrate three different hawks (Gracie, an immature female, Scout, an immature male and Heath). If you look closely at the photos, you will be able to tell a difference in the appearance – their size and coloring (you also might see a squirrel, racoon and armadillo!).

Click on the “expand” button on the bottom right corner to view larger images, then sit back, watch, relax and imagine you were there…

Many thanks go out to Bart, the photographer who braved the forests and took these photos.

I couldn’t resist adding this one by itself – my Husband (above) running after Gracie who has a squirrel in her talons…

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Falcons, Friesians and Fashion – How Sublime!

by The Falconer's Wife on March 16, 2011

It’s well-known in historical texts and artifacts that falconry has been practiced for over 3,000 years and possibly even longer as it pre-dates written records. Places such as Arabia, China, Mongolia, Japan, Germany and Europe (to name a few), are rich in tales of falconry for sport and hunting. Even during the time of Marco Polo, there were more than 10,000 falconers (at one time) and their associates participating in this ancient activity.

Here we are circa 2011. Ages have passed, people have come and gone, the landscape of the world has changed and yet not only is falconry still present, it seems to be resurfacing among the tattered pages of history. Many of the customs have stayed intact (see this interesting post on The Value of Apprenticeship) and many I am sure have changed.

This autumn/winter, falconry will hit the fashion world. Hermès, the classic French luxury brand has added a new creative director to its team – Christophe Lemaire. Lemaire (who seems to have had a penchant for sporty-chic and evidently proved that with last year’s Lacoste line) is boldly bringing the sport of falconry to the luxury label. Magazine ads will portray beautiful models dressed in creams, winter whites, tans, cashmere, wrap-jackets, leather, tassels, suede, tunics, boots, fringe and of course, a wild falcon on their forearm. They’re going “back to the basics,” and I guess if you’re really going to go back, falconry certainly has the clout.

The origins of Hermès as a saddle-maker and obvious connection to the equestrian world seems to go hand and hand with falconry. Other lines will most likely follow suit and incorporate falconry into their designs – I guess we’ll see! Anyway, I’m not usually this much into fashion, but I couldn’t resist this topic and the sublime thought of riding a medieval looking Friesian horse with a bird of prey on one arm and making a fashion statement at the same time!

Ok, imagine you on this…

Friesian Galloping (photo by LarissaAllen)

With this on your arm…

European Kestrel -a beautifully colored falcon. (photo by quaddie)

Wearing the garb of your choice – leather, suede…whatever suits you (you’ll have to use your imagination here and I’d love to hear your thoughts!)

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I Glimpsed P.E. Joy

March 4, 2011

You may have been one of those people who excelled at sports (and if you were, I really do admire you), however, I was never among that elite group of fit, perky, energetic individuals that could kick &@!$% in their chosen field. For me, it was a series of painful, embarrassing, awkward moments and Sysyphean tasks. Phys [...]

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Props for the ‘Possum

February 21, 2011

Props: proper respect, recognition – Urban Dictionary I’ve never given the opossum a second thought unless it happened to scurry across my path in the approaching dusk. Ghostly, ghastly, pallid and grotesque, there were so many more colorful things in life to give my attention to. Until now. If Gracie hadn’t caught one, I’d still [...]

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Finessing the Quill

January 29, 2011

Once again, the Outdoor Blogger Network has put forth a writer’s prompt: Lets see where the Outdoor blog ‘work’ gets done. I love a challenge, especially an easy one (does that still qualify as a challenge?). Most of the time, when I ponder about which word to use and if I have to look it up [...]

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The Indomitable Water Buffalo

January 26, 2011

I’ve always been amazed whenever I’ve seen a water buffalo protecting their young or banding together against an adversary. They’re courageous, extremely protective and utterly indomitable. Here’s my first attempt at drawing one. My original pencil drawing has more contrast and some of the quality and much of the fine detail was lost in the [...]

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