Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: JW_Halverson on December 27, 2012, 02:58:01 pm

Title: The season
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 27, 2012, 02:58:01 pm
Went out this morning to check birds.  The snow was softly falling and there was a real "snap" of cold in the air.  As usual, instead of being inside her shed and out of the weather, Icarus was out on her high perch.  She never looks amused, but this morning she really looked irritated.  Thats just me projecting human attibutes to her based on the way she "looks", she actually was content and relaxed. 

(http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/JW_Halverson/Hendrix/misc%20BOP/securedownload1.jpg)

I stood next to her and chatted with her quietly.  She, as usual, just listened.  I wanted to see if she was shivering, or if the snow was melting down into her feathers, or any other sign of discomfort.  As you can see, the snow rests on her head completely unmelted.  That tells me she is well insulated by her feathers and down underneath she is dry and warm. 

And for those of you thinking the worst, let me just remind you that it is a complete coincidence that she is missing a right wing and my fletching jig is RW!  But that is why she is with us, she is a non-releasable wild bird.  Instead, she does 125+ classroom presentations per year teaching kids about wildlife and the natural world around them. 

Happy Holidays from me and the rest of the bird brains at the Black Hills Raptor Center.  (like us on Facebook and/or sign up for our e-newsletter!)
Title: Re: The season
Post by: Jimbob on December 27, 2012, 03:04:42 pm
That's a beautiful bird JW, she does kinda look irritated but I guess birds of prey are supposed to look menacing.  Thanks for sharing that with us.
Title: Re: The season
Post by: bowtarist on December 27, 2012, 07:12:22 pm
 8) I bet them arrows are quiet  ::) just kidding, dpg
Title: Re: The season
Post by: Scowler on December 27, 2012, 08:05:48 pm
Thats great that you help rehab wild raptors. :)  Archery, for me, has always had parallels with raptors.  Feathers, sharp points, the arrow "flying" through the air towards it's target.  Even the shape of the bow, when strung, reminds me of large, predatory birds.  Thanks for sharing the photo and Happy New Year!
Title: Re: The season
Post by: TRACY on December 27, 2012, 08:17:02 pm
Are all of your birds missing their right wing? Well, she is a beauty and I bet the kids really enjoy seeing her. Can you show up Jan 7th in so. IN. for a classroom guest? I'll buy you lunch in the cafeteria >:D

I just showed my son the pic and told him you still are waiting on a pic of that portable perch he made last year for a local rehab group.

Tracy
Title: Re: The season
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 27, 2012, 09:04:41 pm
Are all of your birds missing their right wing? Well, she is a beauty and I bet the kids really enjoy seeing her. Can you show up Jan 7th in so. IN. for a classroom guest? I'll buy you lunch in the cafeteria >:D

I just showed my son the pic and told him you still are waiting on a pic of that portable perch he made last year for a local rehab group.

Tracy

We happen to beopen on January 7th and we'll definitely be there to do the program.  We do charge $25 per classroom period, but the 50 cents a mile round trip might add up a little more quickly!  If you like, I can send you some of Icarus's pellets.  She coughs one up every day!
Title: Re: The season
Post by: seabass on December 27, 2012, 09:51:28 pm
i allways love the bird pics.
Title: Re: The season
Post by: soy on December 27, 2012, 11:57:34 pm
What a stunningly beautiful bird!!! boy living out there with you must be a real hoot ;D
Title: Re: The season
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 29, 2012, 10:44:30 pm
Careful, soy.  Bad jokes make Icarus owly.
Title: Re: The season
Post by: Roy on December 30, 2012, 07:12:35 pm
Icarus is beautiful.
Title: Re: The season
Post by: iowabow on December 30, 2012, 09:15:25 pm
Very cool jw
Title: Re: The season
Post by: Adam on December 30, 2012, 11:43:57 pm
What a beautiful bird!  I'll definitely look up the Raptor Center if I ever make it to the Black Hills area.
Title: Re: The season
Post by: Badly Bent on December 31, 2012, 12:01:59 am
Beautiful owl JW, love the patterns and colors on her feathers. Looks similar to the one perched on my house  that keeps the pigeons from roosting on the gable knee braces. Only differences is yours has personality and mine is plastic. ;D  Real nice picture, love seeing
the raptors.
Greg
Title: Re: The season
Post by: iowabow on December 31, 2012, 07:35:19 am
Hey JW I posted a picture of where an owl landed in the snow under around the campfire . 
Title: Re: The season
Post by: lesken2011 on December 31, 2012, 11:58:54 am
That owl looks just like the one I caught on a Lucky 13 top water bait while night fishing at a local pond. Thank goodness I had someone with me to distract him while I pinned him down long enough to get the line off his talons and free him. That was a wild experience!!