Shooting

We went out to my brother's farm today. My kids love the farm. There is always stuff to see and do.


He has a barn, but not as many animals as he used too. We both inherited the chicken gene from my father and he has a bunch of chickens laying multicolored eggs for him. Actually, I really like his chickens, so I might steal some eggs from him when we leave, and then incubate them when we get home.


The kids rode back to the back forty on the four wheeler, laughing and screaming all the way, and the dogs got to wander a property full of new smells and sights. Graci spent most of her time by the chickens.


But the highlight of the day had to be the guns. My brother is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He brought out the .22 for the kids to shoot at some targets.

My younger kids have never been near guns, and my oldest has only been shooting at boy scout camp. But they were all grinning from ear to ear.

Luke went first. He got pointers from Uncle Time, and Grandpa.

He lined up and he shot. He shot and shot and smiled the whole time.

He had a great time.



Next up was his brother, who shot at camp. He did great.

Then his sister. She nailed the target, right in the center.

The entire time, the grown-ups coached them on safety and responsibility. The kids took it all in. My wife, Traci, shot, putting a nice pattern on the target (taking out Osama in the process).

We talked guns. My brother got out his pistols and showed us all how to shoot them.


At the end of the day, we drove home, quiet and excited. The kids were exhausted, and Traci was nodding off in the back seat. It was a good day. I think we will be getting a gun of our own soon.

Ulrich

I've packed up and left North Carolina for the week. There is not a whole lot going on back home. I have two new baby pigeons (no pics yet), and the harris hawks have not been engaged in any visible "magic".

To be honest, I'm a bit discouraged.

I had Ulrich flying in and out the car window at baggies, but no slips yet. While I am gone, he has been fed up and is being cared for by a friend of mine. When I get back, it'll take me some time to bring his weight back down, then it'll be time to get things moving on to some better slips.



In the meantime, I'll try and keep things posted on what is going on here in NY.

Action Alert!

Isaac has posted a call to action over at Another Falconry Blog. This is the bill I wrote about back in February, the one where ALL non native species will be banned in the US. If you have animals, or you have ever wanted an animal that is not native to your area, this could effect you!

Sakers, Lanners, European Gos, sparrowhawks, Aplamado, the list of species we use for falconry is long. What happens to my harris'. They are not considered local here in NC. (unless I realease a breeding pair inot the wild? - but that would be wrong). I don't even think you'd be allowed to cross state lines with them.

Go - Read what Isaac wrote. Be political (just for a second, I know, I can't stand it either).

Patrick was right

As usual.

If you don't read his blog - He's the Terrierman.

If you haven't heard, we gave up Murphy, my patterdale terrier to a nice couple who seem to be loving her to death. We've seen them out and about and both dog and owners seem thrilled with each other.

But now I'm feeling a void. I would like to get a dog to work under my hawks. I'm in no hurry, and I'm researching what is out there. On the other hand, I did get my little terrier out doing some groundhog work with Patrick, and I had a blast. So I have specific requirements for a dog.

Most importantly, it needs to get along with other dogs, and kids, and strangers. It needs to have some prey drive. The wife insists that it not shed. And I would like to continue to have a dog that will go to ground after the occasional groundhog.

I'm leaning towards dachshund, but the misses doesn't like them. I'm still working on her.
Anyway, I'm perusing my options.

We spent the weekend in Charlotte doing kid tournament stuff. The weather was gorgeous, and he had some time to check out the surroundings on Saturday afternoon.

We ended up at the home of a Cairne terrier breeder. What a great little dog. The kids were instantly enamored of them, and I have to admit, the puppies were awfully cute. the coats were rough and nonshedding, and they were gamey.


The breeder guessed that the parents were around 12 pounds and thought that they should go to ground just fine.

It was believable, seeing the puppies. So I asked to see the parents.

Good looking little dogs. They were friendly and frisky. They loved to be petted. But there was no way those dogs would fit in a groundhog hole.

I tried to span them, but my fingers were a good two inches from touching. The dogs had to weigh close to twenty pounds. I don't think the breeder, who assured me of their AKC registry, realized why they wouldn't work.

So what is it that Patrick says?

The Cairn Terrier, on the other hand, seems to have the basic physical requirements needed for work. Sure, some dogs are big in the chest, but some smaller dogs seem right sized. The coat is generally fine, if a little long for serious brush and mud.

So is there some other defect? Is there a weakness of noise or voice? Is there a timidity of character that becomes pronounced when the dog faces something larger than a rat?

Perhaps. In truth, however, the real problem is as likely to reside up the leash as down.

The most important requirement of a working terrier is not found in a Kennel Club conformation standard; it is having an owner that will take it out in the field and give it the opportunity to work. This, above all, appears to be the missing part of a Cairn Terrier.

She was a nice lady, who loved her dogs, but her dogs just won't work.



I'll keep looking.

What're you doing?

I mentioned in a previous post that I tend to think that this time of year, alot of folks spend their time reflecting and planning.


I got an email the other day, and it looks like we may be able to trap peregrines on their southward migrations this year. Am I excited - heck yeah! But aren't I worried about the endangered falcons? no, their population has exploded to levels well above their pre-DDT numbers. Additionally, With all the falcons that move down our coast every year there is a limited number of birds that we can take.

What do you think 20? 40? How many falcons should the state of NC be allowed?
Well, all together we are allotted a total of three birds a year. That is okay, I'm still thrilled. Now, nothing is set, and it may change, but it is looking good.

Of course, they will choose who get to try and trap those three birds by lottery. Will I be chosen, probably not. But as I am one of the few falconers in the state that lives on a major flyway - Me thinks I might have the opportunity to assist in the trapping of the first peregrines in our state.

So, it is April, and what am I doing?Reflecting and planning.

We've gone out and trapped merlins on the coast before, and yes, we've had peregrines get caught in the nets - only to be quickly released.

Last year there were four of us from across the state. Andrew, Arnaud, Chris, and myself set up along the northern coast after connecting with the right people. We got to the beach as the sun peeked over the horizen,




and started to set our nets.


But this year it may be different. I need to start collecting pigeons. I need a source for starlings. I need to make some pigeon harnesses.

Do I like my net set ups? How can I make it more effective? There is so much for me to think about. So much plannning to do.



I'll keep you posted.

Passing It On

I spent the day with my younger son today. It started off easy enough. We had to run to Ace to get some keys made and pick up some rabbit food. He wanted to tag along and help out. All three of my kids are great at helping around the house, but Luke is the one who will stick with it after the others have lost interest.

It started off that we needed to relocate an opossum. He's done this before, but he wanted to bring the camera and take pictures. No big deal, I thought. I released the critter and he clicked away.



This one had been pregnant, and I felt pretty good about letting her go, even though I am not a big fan of opossums. On the way to Ace, we saw some osprey, and Luke wanted to see if he could get a picture. We followed the bird to a spot where I knew there was a nest. He couldn't get a picture of the bird flying, but we could just see the head of the adult female peeking over the edge of the nest. It seemed obvious to both of us that she was on eggs, and Luke decided that we needed to check on her every two weeks or so and see how the chicks were coming. I wasn't going to complain.



We wandered down the nearby nature trail, looking for a water moccasin. I wanted a picture. They have got to be the most common snakes that we have on the Outer Banks. But it must not have been warm enough. It was around seventy today, and the turtles were out in force, but the water was still cold, so I'm not sure where the cotton mouths were hiding.

Luke was perfectly happy to follow the progress of one of the many geese that we have been seeing in the area.


He loves animals, and he loves being outside. All my kids love to camp, they love to hike and every one enjoys a good day of fishing for bluegill.

I think spending days outside like this is really important to kids. Let them know what they can find if they just spend some time outside. We finally made it to Ace and picked up the things that I needed, but Luke wasn't done. At our house we do a lot of things with our natural resources. we can fruit and vegetables, we make wine, we grow fruit on our trees, but unfortunately, we are failed gardeners. Luke decided that that would no longer be the case. He had started an herb garden in the window earlier this winter, but now it was time to try vegetables. He doesn't even like vegetables.

So we pulled some wood around from behind the shed and put together some raised boxes. We dug up the soil from the bottom of the compost pile, mixed in some rabbit poo and chicken scat, and swirled it all together into an effervescent pile of dirty goodness.


Then started to plant.



That was Luke's job. He got a shovel and trowel for Christmas and this was his chance to use them. He read the directions on the seed packets, dug some holes and planted the seeds, labeling each row with a neatly written post.



We got one box done. Seeds are in and labeled. The second box has a bit more chicken scat in it, so it needs a bit of time to mellow. We'll be planting that one in a couple of weeks.



My kids, like most, still enjoy the TV. They like the occasional video game. But, they love to be outdoors. I don't think that it come by accident. Next time you take a walk. Next time you plant, or can, make jelly, or hunt, what are you teaching your children about the outdoors?

Whatever it is, make sure that you take the time to make them realize how important time outdoors really is, like these guys did.

Baggies

Isaac reminded me that I haven't Written about Ulrich lately. So, just for an update. Ulrich is doing well. I've had a time finding his right weight for hunting, and that seems to be right around 96-98 grams.

He will fly across the yard to me without a problem, though he is never quick to respond, regardless of weight.



We've been working on some baggies.

The Outdoor Bloggers Summit

In case you haven't noticed, there is a little box on the right, there, that carries the same name as this post. I've been thinking a bit about the Blogger's Summit and why I include it in my links.

I don't hunt, at least not in the traditional sense. I don't get outdoors as much as I would like. I don't track, and I fish for panfish using a bobber and worms with my kids. Do I even belong in the Outdoor Bloggers summit?

I have to think that I do. Blogging for me is about writing and reading to people who "get it." When I talk about hawks, and spending time in the woods, and watching for squirrel sign, or raccoon, or fox. The people I work with, much of my family, they don't "get it".

When I have my two birds, working together overhead, herding a squirrel to one another. One stoops, while the other moves the critter around the tree towards the first's waiting talons, people nod their heads and smile like I am one of those slow witted folk.

But when you talk to people who are actively involved in the outdoors, they get it. They understand the variable tapestry that is the woods. They understand the flux and flow of nature. There is a connection there.

Even if it is with someone who keeps bees, or raises chickens, or pigeons, or farms their own land - there is a connection there with beings other than ourselves that need to be understood, that needs to be queried.

I don't agree with everything I read within the Summit, I'm not even interested in all of it, to be honest. But I appreciate where they are coming from. We share a common bond that much of this country no longer understands.

I also think that people who are like minded, especially people who voluntarily spend their time outdoors, fighting to keep it sacrosanct need to be united in a common voice.

There aren't as many of us as their once were. Too many people choose not to know where their food comes from, or they believe they are above it all.


I choose otherwise.

Saying goodbye

The people came today.

They were an energetic young couple. One recently back from Iraq, the other bubbling over with excitement. They had come by yesterday to meet our dog, my dog, Murphy.

She performed perfectly. Murphy was bubbly, outgoing, and mannerly. I had a wrenching, twisted feeling in the pit of my stomach. The couple and Murphy were a good match.

We packed up her things; her crate and leash, bones and toys. And the people came. He smiled, she laughed. I walked the three of them to their car. First they wanted to get her a new collar, then they wanted to take her to the beach.

I'm sure Murphy is doing better than I. They really were a good match.

So I went out to see the other animals. Gracie went with me. Graci is our schnauzer, the one that Murphy would take down.



She is a good dog with very little hunting instinct in her at all. She wouldn't hunt, that's why I got Murphy in the first place.

We visited the pigeons.


She checked on the chickens.



Saw to the bunnies.


The cat watched all of this with his normal air of indifference.


Then she went and sniffed around the base of a tree a little way off. I looked at her askance. What was she doing? Then I heard the barking. Up a ways on the trunk was a squirrel, voicing his displeasure.

Hmmmm.

Kinda cool

The discovery of a one-month-old tuatara, a rare reptile descended from lizard-like dinosaurs, has conservationists in New Zealand celebrating. The critter is the first baby tuatara to be spotted on the mainland there in two centuries....

To read more cool stuff, check out 60-second science.

Chicken lovers unite

I bought the variety pack from Murry McMurry. Most of the birds have made their way back to the hawks cages, but I kept a few.

My hens are mutt birds, but the Rooster should be a pure bred.

Anyone know what kind it is????

Crows in the Trees

When I got home from work this afternoon, there was a ruckus in the trees near the hawks cage. The birds have been fat, their crops full. I hope that the birds were okay.


I rounded the corner of the shed and verified that the hawks were fine.
Blue Jays were calling back and forth and I could see them swarming around the top of a live oak.

Two crows swooped in and circled the center of the commotion. It looked like the crows were possibly raiding the jays nest.

I moved closer to get a picture, but the birds were obviously more afraid of me than of each other and fell silent.


The crows secreted themselves away, weaving low through the trees. One of the jays giving a final kak as he gave a brief chase.

I know that there is a crows nest some where back in the woods. I would love to find out where it is.

Crows are cool creatures. They are right there at the top of the list for intelligent creatures. They have been observed using tools, they are believed to have a culture of sorts, as well as their own language, that goes beyond simple vocalizations.



Keep an eye on your local crows. There are myriads of stories of people who have raised orphaned crows to become cool pets. I never have, but would love to try. Unfortunately, in the U.S. this is an illegal endeavor.

The battle rages on

And so it goes. We haven't seen the sun for close to seven days. The rain has fallen in a steady stream, like that old Winnie the Pooh movie.


Three Raccoons in that time.

Is it worth it?

I have been hearing a lot about invasive species and how this should be introduced and that be eradicated. Here on the North Carolina coast there has been some controversy about the help that the Outer Banks Wild Horses should receive.


When is an invasive species no longer invasive? The horses here have been around for over 400 years. They are more local than even the oldest locals, but they will not be protected by the FWS.

...physiological features of present day horses, and historical data lead strongly to the conclusion that the ancestors of these horses were escapees from Spanish stock brought to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the first part of the 16th century.

These horses were left here by some of the original Spanish explorers who either became shipwrecked or who deserted their horses and left. In the absence of large predators and other large mammals with which to compete, the horses thrived. They have become successful, and the herd needs to be periodically thinned. So if these large mammals are this successful, when are they no longer considered exotic?

Red Fox have been in this country since the English imported them, Wild boar were brought from Russia, nutria from South America, all horses came from somewhere else. The process of change has increased exponentially since humans began moving animals from one place to another.


Over at Cool Green Science they write about the same thing tossing around the research of Darwin.

that is exactly how evolution works. The ancestral Darwin’s Finches once landed, completely exhausted, on one of the Galapagos Islands. They thrived, adapted, evolved and probably displaced quite a few of the species that had arrived before them.

Here in Southeast Asia, I see the same. Every few hundred thousand years, a wave of new species has arrived in the lands that now make up Indonesia and Malaysia, often driven by climatic change. They displaced the original species, which either died out or survived on mountain tops, offshore islands or other unusual places, where they are now rare endemics.

In conservation we are trying to change this. We are eradicating or controlling the invaders, and protect the natives. But that introduces a paradox.

Of course, things are happening much faster now that humans have come onto the scene. We are not talking about millennia or even centuries anymore. Our changes happen in a few years. And few species can adapt to that speed.

Still, there seem to be a disconnect between conservation and natural evolution. Come to Borneo in a few thousand years from now, and quite likely the tree sparrows here will have started to develop some useful traits that allows them to exploit new resources.

When does a species stop being a dangerous invasive and become a wonder of nature worth protecting?

Of course, being an educator, I have to be careful of what I say. Here in North Carolina, I still get a lot of flack about teaching evolution. I can only teach it as a theory, never really proven. Even though the evidence is all around us.