Sunday was the day. It started out pretty normal. We began with Jocelyn on the creance cruising down the driveway. No problem, no hesitation.
She has been doing great!
And I have been holding off on the free flight. It was me that wasn't ready. So I decided that today was the day.
Her weight was on. 163 grams. She had been responding well from 160 - 166. Even at 166 she would come, but she would hesitate longer than I liked.
I've been feeding her from the fist, and on the ground. I hadn't introduced the lure, but was ready to do that in the next day or two.
After the second flight on the creance, I placed her on the back of the jeep for one more try.
I backed up a few steps, not far, maybe three feet. The creance was trailing on the ground where I placed my foot firmly on it. It was the short one, not much longer than a leash.
Called her in, thinking - "yeah, this is the last one and then free flight."
She looked to her left, then right, bobbed her head and set her wings - perfect.
Until the sprinklers popped and hissed, spitting out a stream of water.
It startled me.
I turned to look, the bird checked herself in mid air, pumped her wings and banked. Up over the grass and the crepe myrtle in the front yard - trailing the short creance behind her, she disappeared into the trees that flank the front yard. I had moved my foot when I turned towards the noise, releasing the line.
It was stupid - I ran after her, calling, whistling and tossing the food into the air. I wandered the woods. Then I sat and watched.
I scanned the trees, holding the food in my gloved fist. I watched and waited for a sign.
I returned later, just as the sun was dropping, calling and whistling.
I'm angry - not at the bird, but at myself. The creance should have been attached to something. I should have attached the transmitter, even though these were only short flights.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Crap.
Went out again this morning and called. There was no sign. I think she's gone.
