2012: A Year in Review

January:

Kenai tried his hand at being a ski patrol dog during my NSP candidate training and loved it. I spent every weekend training for NSP on the mountain and loved getting in all those ski days, even if the snow sucked. There were a few phenomenal days and I really loved my first season as I learned to telemark ski. I found some time to try my hand at chasing cows and had a blast! I accepted the change in my life as a good thing and then adopted some more change in the form of a new horse, Griffin!

February:

I had some difficulty coming up with a name for Griffin at first, but I eventually settled and posted a much-awaited (at the time) photo of him. He was so little! Mountain Khakis published their first catalog and I was the featured female ambassador. NSP training, despite difficulties, continued and I really began looking forward to its conclusion in March. I also found out that my summer plans to do a Leave No Trace Master Educator course with an emphasis on stock use in the backcountry would be happening!! I also finally got the edited video of me riding a horse I helped start the summer prior. Kenai had troubles with measuring, and I visited NYC for the first time for my birthday with my mom. I got to catch up with an incredible person while I was there, too. I learned to dance with a horse.

March:

NSP training continued and I completed! Huzzah! I filmed a training session with Griffin and Kenai got to play with a starling after. We bid adieu to one of the greatest horses I've had the pleasure to know due to a freak accident. Kenai turned two! Griffin got his first trim, and I posted photos of his improvement. And the biggest thing of this month, I went to MONTANA! We squeezed in a car. We skied. And we frolicked. And we visited Yellowstone and saw WOLVES! 19 wolves from three different packs. Marked that one off my 30 before 30, big time.

April:

I spammed you with more photos from MONTANA. And I shared a video of us skiing western powder (squee!). And then spammed you with videos of the horses. And Griffin started tagging along on trail rides. I took a moment to reflect on how incredibly awesome life is. Griffin discovered his inner idiot. I updated on my year of yoga (which failed miserably due to a shoulder injury) and gave yummy recipe ideas. Somehow I had a ton of time to read books. We went to the Equine Affaire, too. Oh and of course, there were a lot of Griffin updates!

May:

I focused on the fact that I needed to be more present in my every day life instead of always looking toward the future. I scored a sweet deal on some minimalist shoes for running in a hope to start running more (which never happened because my ankles are whiny little bitches). I spent a fun week of adventuring and training with Griffin. I had a really big weekend of photography for prom, an engagement shoot, and finally went climbing. This Wordless Wednesday post got a heck'ova'lotta hits for some reason. I had another memorable weekend watching my good friend Chris graduate from college, taking photos for two of my best friends for their engagement, and ground driving Griffin. I went to a clinic/trail ride weekend in the southern part of the state with friends and met Q; I then proceeded to ask advice on her and ended up buying her. I think its safe to say she was a pretty good decision!

June:

I threw myself into life with two horses full-force. I found out that Q hates bears, but really doesn't mind ground poles, and she really has a knack for jumping! I got to fulfill a mini-dream of mine and play with Freisians for a day (and many after, actually). I finally left for 2½ weeks in the Great Smoky Nat'l Park where I learned to pack horses and practice Leave No Trace concepts.

July:

I re-hashed my pack experience gone wrong in three different parts (part I, part II, part III); it is the longest story I've told on my blog to-date, and was really hard for me to tell at the time. I went on a crazy-fast 20-mile training ride with a local endurance rider on two of her horses. And jumped back in action with my own horses, while finally pondering some of Griffin's potential TWH background. I continued to spend a lot of time with my horses, photographed one of my best friend's wedding, celebrated Griffin's birthday, and had an absolute blast fulfilling a childhood dream of riding my own horse in a parade!

August:

With August came the start of the coveted 30-mile ride. I had some pre-race anxiety, but Q exceeded all my expectations for this ride and did AMAZINGLY. I was (and still am) so happy with her performance. To get my mind of horse things I went and saw Mumford and Sons the weekend following the race (THEY ARE SO AWESOME LIVE!!). I shared a huge post of new experiences with my horses and then went to fulfill yet another horse-related childhood dream (wow, I really fulfilled a lot of these this year) and rode at Spruce Knob.

September:

I took some time this month to summarize the progress that both Q and Griffin had made during our time together. Q got a mystery ailment (which is still a mystery, though I lean toward a friction/heat cause) and I freaked out a bit and ended up not doing any more training or races this year because of it. I made the decision to really devote myself to getting into a better fitness routine for the upcoming ski season/life. I also dabbled with both horses lunging in a quasi-liberty exercise and decided it was something I would work on more this winter after I established both horses on the ground a little more. I embraced my favorite WV season (autumn) with several pursuits outdoors; this state is absolutely magical in the fall.

October:

Q and I did our second parade; the weather wasn't as great, but she did phenomenally again! A friend came and photographed Q and I jumping; our form is really improving. I spent a lot of time on the rail trail goofing around riding with cyclists instead of other horses. Q continued to amaze me during our last trail ride of the season.

November:

Frankenstorm (Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy) trashed my trails as over 3 feet of snow was dumped at the higher elevations. At this writing they are still clearing trees from roadways. I don't know if any of my summer trails will be the same for awhile. The horses weren't hurt, only a little sore. The weekend after the storm I put away studying to explore the woods with the ladies on horseback. Q and I had a blast. I worked on trailer loading with the horses some, and then goofed off with Freisian horses more. And then I went to Cape May with my bff Mandy and we caught some raptors and I met Dom IRL! Griffin's really gotten big and solid as of this month, and Q exceeded any expectation I had for her in our third parade of the year - a night parade.

December:

I reviewed 23 things I've learned in my 23 year of life. Spent a rainy Sunday training Griffin; put in my first ride on him. I spent an unnaturally warm December day climbing (finally). I took some time to recollect resolutions and goals I had for the year and make some new ones for the upcoming year, and I finally updated everyone on fitness and what I'd learned from my readings.

Man, 2012 was a busy year full of fun adventures, welcoming horses into my life, and developing myself as a person. Here's to a new year, new adventures, building upon foundations I've laid, and making 2013 the best year yet.

Reflection and Forward Motion

Last year I wrote this post on goals and reflection.

Writing that post, coupled with writing those goals on a mirror in my room has held me more accountable than ever before to fulfilling them. My frame-of-mind is different now than in previous years, as well. I realized that I'm at a point in my life where change happens almost daily. You accept and adapt or you get left behind. Its frustrating. Its exciting. Its totally worth it in the end.

Holding myself accountable and being aware of how I actively wanted to change myself for the better this year was a complete and total success. Certainly, there is more I could accomplish within each of the goals I set for myself, but I have come leaps and bounds from where I was this time last year.

I'm so much calmer than I've ever been. My personality type up until this year was one in which I always  had to try to micromanage everything. I was always concerned with what was going on around me at all times and how things might affect me. Not now. I've quit micromanaging my life. As a direct result I sleep better, I don't lie away fretting and worrying about things. I've accepted that I have the power to change things and I don't have the power to change other things - so why worry about those things? I no longer beat myself up over those things. I accept them for what they are, make the most of them, and move forward with my chin up and a smile on my face as much as I can.

I've also made a huge effort to judge less. We all judge everyone around us. We don't speak up about things, but we all think things. I've stopped myself from thinking negatively countless times this year. I've forced myself to see the best in everyone around me as much as I can. Its a much better way to be.

Additionally, I've really learned when to pick my battles and to keep my mouth closed when there is really no point in my saying anything. My mind races through things faster than a lot of other people, I've realized. My core group of friends are all equally quick-minded and quick-witted with snarky tongues, but the rest of the world isn't so much. I've learned to rein in that side of myself around people who can't handle it. I don't speak up and I let things slide past that won't matter in the long run. There are times when I need to speak up, and I do, but for the most part, I've avoided many a complicated situation by just staying mum. Its been a valuable lesson.

I'm certain someone, somewhere reading what I've accomplished is probably thinking "well, DUH" about things, but if I've realized anything this year, its that people can tell you to do something or not do something until they're blue in the face, but until you have a really striking experience with it you're not going to get what they're telling you.

I went through some really rough patches this year. Some really, really low points. But I came out of them. I knew as I was falling into them that I would be okay. That I would get through them. That I would be better for it. That it was only going to take time. And time SUCKS. But then time passed. And I started making a conscious effort to say every day, This will be the best day. or to say at the beginning of each month, This will be the best month. I repeat these phrases daily/monthly. Because why the hell can't today be the best day? Why the hell can't this be the best month? Why can't each following day and month be the best? I can be my own worst enemy and make life miserable or I can actively make my life incredible. I chose the latter.

I'm happy. I'm so happy. I've accepted that things will fall into place as they're meant to. I've accepted that I have a good head on my shoulders. I've accepted that I have the ability and means to accomplish whatever I set my mind to do. I've accepted that sure, there are rough days, but they will pass. I've lived more in the moment than I ever have before and its been wonderful. I wish everyone was able to do this. The world would be such a happier place.

So, moving forward. A new year is on the horizon yet again. Change is just as evident in my life now as it was last year. The only thing that has changed is my perspective on it.

This year: I will strive to further improve on last years goals. To build upon them. In addition, I'm going to strive to accept changes and make the absolute best out of them. And, I want to be as honest with myself and with others as I can be.

Last year I mentioned some other goals, too, some doing things goals that involved me actually getting out there and physically doing something. These included the following:

• finding future-super-star horse: Check. I found two horses. Two wonderful super stars. They fell into my life without me seeking them out. They're wonderful and you are all aware of how much we have accomplished this year as I actively update about them all the time.
• riding 100 days: Check. I altered this at first to include training days as I didn't anticipate Q coming into my life. But then she did. And she and I have had well over 100 riding days. Griffin and I have had well over 100 training days. That's one helluva lot of horse time. I wouldn't change it for anything.
• skiing 20 days: Check. Exactly 20 on the dot. The last two days kicked my ass, but they were totally worth it. I don't know how many days I will strive for this year, but I definitely want to get out a lot and visit somewhere new....maybe the Alps.
• reading more. Check...ish. This goal was going all well and good until my fall quarter at OSU began. Then my life became all about school and reading ceased to exist. I did manage to read a number of incredible books though. Nonfiction mostly. I've learned me up good this year.
• learning to edit photos better: Check. Double-check. I wanted to learn one new thing in photoshop for each month. I think I tripled or quadrupled the number of things I learned.
• running a 5k: Fail. This did not happen. While I aspire to run, I'm just simply NOT a runner. Booo on running. Its not for lack of trying. I got to a point where I enjoyed it more than I ever had before, but old injuries from swimming ultimately prevent me from getting very far with daily running regimes.
• cooking 1 dinner a week for myself: Fail. I did cook. But I didn't cook that much!! I actively changed my diet for the better and have stuck to that life choice and plan to keep that up in the new year.
• and completing a number of items on my 30 before 30 list: Wolves?! Um, CHECK!! Check x19! I learned how to telemark. I slept in my hammock. I went to NYC. And I learned how to pack a horse and travel in the backcountry. Five checks off my list this year. Not too shabby at all!! I'm certain the others will fall into place as time passes. I move closer to each of these goals every year.

2012 was a pretty flippin' awesome year. 2013 is going to be even better. I just know it.

23 things

A friend of mine pulled this together and I thought it was so insightful and quite brilliant, so I’ve decided to do one of my own. I’ve got 2 more months of 23. It may not be a very significant age (you can already drink legally, but you still can’t rent a car on the cheap), but it’s been a really awesome year for me [so far].

23 things I’ve learned at 23

1. Pick your battles – There are a lot of times it would be easy to throw in your two-cents that may agree or disagree with another’s point. Sometimes it’s not worth it to push things. Smile, accept things, and let life move on. Why cause grief over nothing?
2. Keep your mouth closed – This goes in part with 1. above; it’s not always best to add everything you have to say. Sometimes it’s better to listen, sometimes it’s better to just let conversation keep happening without stalling on a subject, sometimes the moment is not about you – accept it.
3. Go with the flow – Not always the easiest thing, but once you can accept things around you as they are you can do your best to make the absolute best out of situations; you will be happier for it.
4. Sleep ≠ thinking – Going to sleep is going to sleep, it is not lying in bed waiting to fall asleep and fretting about everything that did, could, might, may have happened.
5. Everything falls into place – Seriously. Everything is going to be okay.
6. Don’t worry about things you can’t control – Just don’t. It’s a waste of time that could be spent doing fun, happy things.
7. Distance is nothing – Friends move to follow dreams and goals. Friendships do not end due to this. True friends keep up with each other via snail mail, email, Skype, and various other messaging programs. They find a way to cheer you up on rough days from states, coastlines, and oceans away.
8. Be Yourself – It’s easier. And you will be happier for it.    
9. Don’t micromanage life – You can’t control it all, and you’re not psychic, so stop planning every detail.
10. Everything gets better – It really does. And you’re going to be okay. It just takes time (and yes, sometimes time SUCKS).
11. Bad days just happen – Refer to 6. Sometimes you can’t control things (traffic, technology failures, etc.). Don’t freak out about it. Make the most of it, laugh at yourself because you can’t do a thing to change things sometimes.
12. Time management isn’t easy – Seriously, can there be a day between Saturday and Sunday?
13. Budgets suck – Truly, they do. But they are a necessary evil.
14. You can’t do everything – Not on your own anyway.
15. Rejection isn’t so bad – It’s just a stepping stone to something better.
16. Be the bigger person – This is hard and it sucks to do, but its necessary. Sometimes you have to suck up your pride and be the bigger person. It will salvage friendships and prevent undue drama.
17. Drama is not necessary – This isn’t middle school any more folks. Stop your nonsense.
18. Worse things have happened to better people – Really. They have! A friend told me this after my dog destroyed something of hers and I felt so, so bad about it. It ended up being a really easy fix and I learned a lot from the experience. What you’re going through is likely not the end of the world. Things could be a lot worse.
19. Say “No” – If you don’t people are going to walk all over you and take advantage of you. Additionally, you’ll run yourself into the ground trying to accomplish all of your tasks and obligations.
20. Being alone is not a bad thing – It’s a wonderful thing. I hope everyone can find comfort with it.
21. Appreciate what you have and who you are – You’re pretty lucky. Think about it.
22. Have faith in yourself – You’re capable of anything.
23. Be present – Focus on the NOW. Don’t dwell on the past – but it is okay to learn from it. Don’t live in the future – but you can have hope for it. Wherever you go, there you are.

Stay Present, Stay Positive

I have a problem: I constantly set far away goals for myself.  Things to look forward to.  Things that will eventually be.  Things to keep me going.  But sometimes, these things aren't enough.  Sometimes they’re too far away and I get lost on my way to them.  Sometimes they come and go so quickly that all my anticipation and excitement about them seemed to be much ado about nothing.

I need to work on making smaller, daily goals.  Staying present and staying positive.  This is something I’m going to focus on over the summer.  If I actively focus on it and pursue it then, with time, it will become a permanent change in my life.  Or at least that’s what I hear anyway….

I need to make little goals for myself.  I’ve been in an awful drag since getting back from Montana.  I thought vacation would “cure” my cabin fever feelings.  Fail.  I wake up, I go to work, I sit fidgeting all day, I get out, I go work little horse some nights, I come home, I eat, I sleep, I repeat the next day.  See that?  I’m sort of missing some spice in my own life.  I need to add some excitement to one or two nights a week – non-weekend spice.  I miss waking up excited every. single. morning. 

In the middle of crafting this post I took a moment to sit and count out “# of work days until BCHA training”.  See?  I have a problem.  (24 work days left!)  I’m focusing on the “what will be” instead of the “what is right now”.  And part of me is assuming I’ll be all hunky-dory a-okay and “cured” of this drag when I return.  Doubtful.  If anything, three weeks in a Nat’l Park playing with horses and being outside daily is going to give me major pseudo-shaking-leg syndrome when I get back to my desk life.  I fail miserably at sitting still!

Whoops, another distracting break moment: just penciled in all exciting weekend activities between now and training.  (Every single weekend is booked with something, hooah!)  Problemmmmmmmm.  Maybe I need a new, exciting morning routine to jump-start my days?  Problem is, I SUCK at getting up earlier than necessary.  My body is sleepiest between the hours of 3a – 8a and most alert from 5p – 11p.  At least at this point in my life that’s my schedule.

I need to apply this towards Griffin’s training more than anything, since its my look-forward-to thing every day.  I’ve really hit a brick wall with things lately and I need to pick up the pace, but in a small way.  I’m not talking about lengthier training sessions more days a week – I think he’s getting a proper amount of stimuli for his age @ 4 days a week in the evening after I finish work.  I just need to expand his, and my, repertoire of activities – more or less add some more spice to what we’re already doing.  I’ve come up with some little things:

 Ø  Not balking at the sound/feeling of fly spray – Little horse is gonna get a LOT of water sprayed on him (and fly spray on days that merit it)

 Ø  More work with the tarp – I want him to LOVE that thing and all its crinkly noises

 Ø  Head shyness – he is random with his “oh my god you’re near my head” reactions, I’d like to make it so he’s very rarely jerking away

 Ø  Double long-lining to lead to potential driving – this would just be beneficial cool for us both to learn 

 Ø  Walking/trotting over ground poles during our sessions – kid seems to pick his feet up well on the trail when he tags along, but it’d be nice to give him more reason to be aware of his feet and to mix up the whole ground work thing

 Ø  Short walk/jogs in hand – because I’m a lazy bum and need to get myself out there moving, a little jaunt down the back road would be good for his tootsies, too.  Besides, walking/trotting in hand will be useful (vet checks) if we end up in endurance as I’d like.

So now, dear friends, I need your help and advice.  What do you do to spice things up between adventures and weekends?  How about ways to alter your body’s schedule to get up early and jumpstart/take control of your day?  I need ideas, people!  Additionally, horse folk, what ideas do you have for more ground-based mind and body stimulating activities for Griffin?  

Reflection and goals

A lot of my 2011 resolutions I kept to myself, and while I don't remember all of them, I do feel much better about my growth into the person I want to become.

In the past year I have learned to put myself first more often than I had.  I've learned to say "no" a little bit more.  I've carved out a little bit more "me" time amidst the chaos.  I handle a lot of things better than I used to, I'm calmer.  My future is bright.  I'm happy.

Goals for 2012 consist of the following:

- Continue to remain calm in all situations, keeping a calm mind and my wits about me will be much more helpful in overcoming difficult things, and help bar me from jumping to undue conclusions.
- Keeping my mouth shut more, I feel like I blabber about nonsense to fill silence at times when I'm with people I'm not 100% trusting of.  I'd really like to bring this practice to a halt and just be comfortable with silence in all occasions.
- Continue to be slower to judge.  Keep an open mind about things; take everything I can in and just sit and process it for a bit.  Become more like one of Tolkien's ents and make my life "less hasty".
- Learn some new skills as far as "making food" goes, and yes, this involves some new recipes entering my repertoire.
- Continue carving out "me" time and more time to get outside with the pup.  Still striving for that perfect balance of a healthy lifestyle...
- Don't beat myself up over silly things, quit sweating the small stuff.
- Find a way to stop my mind at the end of the day so my quality of sleep can be a little better.  As much as I enjoy dreams about flying, riding, and contorting my body like an expert yogi, I'd rather feel rested in the morning.

I'm sure that list will evolve a little and grow here and there.  In addition to it, I hope to pursue the following on my 30 before 30 list:

+ Hike in the Tetons
+ Stay at a B&B
+ Climb a 14'er
+ Pursue yoga-ing everyday
+ Visit the Redwoods (and maybe Yosemite?)
+ A wolf perhaps?  I will be in wolf country in March it looks like!
+ Pursue my visits into my final 12 states
+ Learn how to telemark ski (I've got my boots and hope to find skis in the next month if it would F*#)@ snow)
+ Sleep in a hammock instead of tent while camping
+ Visit NYC (birthday weekend!)
+ Learn how to pack a horse and travel in the backcountry (c'monnnnn JUNE!)

Were I to complete all of the above, I would be half-way through my list.  Its a start!  I doubt I will complete all of the above, but 2012 has a lot of promise.  There is a high potential to do each of the above this year.  Its great to have my goals down in writing in a place where I can frequently note them.  Its helping me to mold my lifestyle and life choices to accomplish things that mean a lot to me.

But I have unwritten goals, too.  Like finding future-super-star horse.  And being able to ride and train said horse every - or nearly - day.  And having not only a job that I [firstly] enjoy, but one that [secondly] can support my pursuits with animal, travel, and adventures.

A valuable lesson I learned over the summer was that happiness is the ultimate goal to anything.  Knowing and understanding this has made a world of difference for me.  Behind a lot of the things I pursue, the question was first asked, "Will this make me happy?"  If the answer is "yes", then onward I pursue it.  Yes, I must be careful not to make mindless decisions in the process, but I am confident I have a good head on my shoulders.  When my judgement is flawed I have valuable friends to guide me.  That's worth everything in the end.

: : :

Have you started thinking about your goals for the year to come?  Things you'd like to accomplish?
Do you have a list of things to do before a certain deadline/age?

Meditative Driving

Lately I’ve done a lot of driving.  To Morgantown most weekends (90 minutes one way), to NJ and back a few weeks ago (6-7 hours one way), to and from another local place to ride (25 minutes one way), and back and forth to ski patrol training (35 minutes one way).  Except for ski patrol, I’m almost always by myself – well, Kenai and I. 

I used to really dread an oncoming trip in the car.  The long drive, the monotonous road, the dealing with crappy drivers who suck.  Not so much now.  I still get peeved when people suck at driving (i.e. not putting on their blinkers and just randomly slamming on their brakes at the last possible moment – or slowing, slowing, slowing, slowing, turning without indicating it), but overall I’m really happy to get out and drive.  It gives me time to myself.

The longest drive – to NJ – was made possible with audiobooks.  This was a first for me and I’m definitely hooked.  It made all that time in the car seem like NOTHING!  I definitely need to walk around a Barnes & Noble perusing for some more audiobook ideas soon!

Shorter drives I spend thinking or belting out all the lyrics I know to songs on the radio or one of many on my ipod.  Bless that little device, it keeps me sane.  And bless the poor dog who has to listen to me as I experiment with harmonies!

I mull over so many things in my head with nothing but Kenai (who sleeps most of the time) and the radio to keep me company.  I’m able to sort through things in my mind and make better sense of them; to organize my life; to arrange a to-do list; to sit and be content with how lucky I am and how many things are amazing in my life.  I never dreamed driving would be so meditative for me, but I’m glad it is.

BIRDS

Three and a half blissful and educating days banding raptors (or for you non-bio people, birds of prey). 

Cape May lighthouse

Cape May lighthouse

Beach + the Atlantic

Waves + impending storm

Cape May lighthouse

To be banded

Banding

The biggest trigger for this trip was [finally] getting to spend time with Miss Mandy since I haven’t seen her forever.  She works on San Clemente Island off the coast of San Diego, CA, which needless to say means I rarely see her [booooooo].   We’re pretty much soul mates after all [haha].  Its just the redhead, animal-outdoors-loving thing we have going on.

Kisses for the angry bird

Release

Male Kestrel

Male Kestrel

The secondary trigger was that this trip would be a HUGE opportunity for me to add to my skill set as far as wildlife jobs are concerned.  To say I know how to correctly setup, trap, handle, band, etc. these large, majestic, yet dangerous birds is a huge plus for my future career (professional and educational) options.

Lookit the babyyyy

Release...or catch?

A bander's tools

Male Coop

Banding

Trick with a Sharpie

Kestrel tail

Merlin (*BOOM*)

Over the 3½ days I spent there I got to witness/aid in the capture and banding of 35 birds (2/6/10/17 respectively for each day).  The majority were Cooper’s hawks.  I did get to see all three falcons in hand (Peregrine, Kestrel, & Merlin) and two Accipiters (Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks).  A Northern Harrier came swooping in and around, but bumped one of the lines which spooked her out of “the kill”.  Sigh.  We saw several Buteos (red-tailed, red-shouldered, braod-winged [better known as the hyphenated named birds…jk]) but they didn’t take to any of the bait birds.  Also saw some bald eagles and a golden eagle fly over, but they were not impressed with our setup and decided not to indulge us with their presence.  Even though we would have cooed lavish praises at them and loved them dearly…as long as no talons or beaks were thrust through skin.

Shipwrecked sunset

Pebbly beach

Female Coop

Female Coop

Release

I learned to do the following:

ID my east-coast flying raptors much better from a distance;
apply and remove protective vests from the lure birds (sparrows, starlings, and pigeons);
set up Dho-gaza and bow traps;
etiquette within a blind;
jargon for a bird HEADING this way (approaching the blind/lures) or COMING in (committed to hitting a lure);
size a bird’s leg for the appropriate sized band;
band birds;
weigh the birds and measure wing cord;
technique behind pulling lines to make the lure birds alert the raptors to their presence;
handle birds in many different holds;
release birds.

Pulling lines

I can honestly say I’ve got the “bug” to trap these birds now.  Nothing can describe how amazing it is watching them swoop in for “the kill”.  Its so thrilling.  The Peregrine we got was rather far off and made a quick 90º turn to his right and then took a few seconds to approach before he made his first dive at a lure.  He dove three times at two different lures.  You see those birds, the fastest in the world, dive and swoop on TV, in real life?!  103,857,332,034,867x better.  Seriously.  On his third dive – trying to sneak attack from behind the lure – he got tangled in the mist net.  Wham, bam, buddy.  Seriously, words can’t describe how amazing it was to have – in hand – the fastest animal in the world.  His feathers were SO stiff, too, to compensate for the high rates of speed he attains.  He also STUNK because he had been eating sea creatures.  Stinky, majestic bird.

Her 1st Peregrine!!!

Lookit the bayyybeeeee

 

Holding the fastest animal in the world

And release

Hearing about and even watching people like Mandy and Arthur pull the lines to the lure birds to attract raptors makes it seem easy, like any one could do it.  Pull line, lure bird goes up and flaps, raptor comes down, trap line is pulled, net descends and entraps raptor, the end.  NOT SO.  The skill and finesse trapper possess is incredible.  For instance, if you just pull the line steady, the bird rises steadily and acts like a football, not extending wings.  You’ve got to twitch it in a sense, and then you have to twitch it again as the bird ascends to “catch” the bird and allow him to easily rest his feet on the ground again.  If you just jerked the line up and called it good you would cause the bird to drop and break his keel (a bird’s sternum is keeled to help support the forces they experience while flying).   Not to mention each lure bird has two lines that aid in the height it can be “popped” and how far off center (away from the trap zone) the bird is.  You must center the lures prior to trapping any raptor – even as I try to explain it in words here, it still doesn’t do justice to the adept skill it takes to properly pull the lines.  Its seriously like magic, what they do.  

One of the bigger feet

Four Coops - Females in yellow, males in blue; and yes, Mandy and I double-fisted some Coopers.

Sharpie anger

All trapping and handling was done in complete seriousness with all concerns to the bird’s safety and well being.  But many verbal asides were made joshing numerous bird’s natures.  Take for instance this lovely little specimen:

ORLY?

Majestic, beautiful…little bitch.  Unlike the other birds featured above, this little snot can eat-on-the-wing aka bend over and bite the shit out of whatever is in her talons.  Which means, you guessed it, they can bend over and bite the shit out of your fingers.  She was mondo angry while these photos were being taken (as were basically all the birds – except the Peregrine, he was a complete gentlemen, albeit a little smelly) hence her open mouth as she showed me how fierce she was and how badly she wanted to bite my eyes out – not really, but then again…  She’d closed her mouth for a few shots, and then, on Mandy’s command to “smile!” we got the below photo:

Smile!!

Hil-ar-i-ous.  I love her.  And then, trying to get the infamous epic release shot, I told Mandy, “Okay, I’ll count down from three, ready?” “Ready.” “Three, two, *little bitch bites the shit out of my finger* aaarrrrggghhhh, aaaaaaggghhhaaacckkaaa * half-tosses, half-lets-go of snotty little bird*.”  But honestly, I couldn’t quit smiling/laughing at the audacity of that little bird.  I’m hundreds of times her size and she still wanted a piece of me – literally.  Love it.  (But seriously, I didn’t get hurt at all during the banding; one talon slightly into my pinky, but it didn’t really bleed; I was bit I don’t KNOW how many times – freaking lure birds.)

Little bitch butt in the middle of the frame

In addition to trapping, Mandy and I ate our hearts out at many places around Cape May.  Om, nom, nom.  We love food.  The last night we ended up at THE sketchiest place ever.   BUT, I must say, they did have pretty awesome scallops.  We ended up getting our food to go though.  Who cares if we offended them in the process.  It was a bit eerie. 

My special bird

Release

All in all a GREAT few days.  So many laughs.  We are talking of trying to make this a yearly “girls trip” so we have an excuse to see each other.  Who cares that we’re waking up at 6a and working 10 hour days during it!  I say, I say!

Check out that eye color

OH BOY!

Releasing...or prepping to jump and catch

P.S. I love pigeons, they are THE cutest things ever.  Love, love, love.  And they’re soldiers.  Seriously.

In a protective vest.

Yes, a little blood, but he's a SOLDIER!