This has been one crazy year. In Sept I met a small group of very strong women and I decided to join them. My attempt to skate ended up looking like this:

At first the doctors thought I had broke my elbow, but once someone who knew what they were doing looked at the x-rays they found that I had badly bruised it. I was then off skates for all of Sept and Oct. In Nov I started all over again. I worked my rear off. I skated hard and made it to as many practices as I could. I drove through blizzards to get to the community center to find out practice had been canceled. I would drive over 50 miles one way just so I could get better. My life revolved around this game. I was rewarded in May, I got to skate in my first bout. I was awarded again in June, I was in the starting lineup and skated a good majority of our bout against the North Star girls. But all my hard work was rewarded once more by my team mates this month. I was presented with the Most Improved Skater of the Year Award!


I just want to say Thank you for believing in me!

The Call of Nature (part 2)

Over the last 3 months we have been keeping an eye on the nest. Shortly after my first sighting I peeked up to see one of them sitting the nest.
As you can see, this was still early spring, as the tree had not even started to bud out.

A few weeks later, after there were too many leaves to take a decent picture I looked into the nest to see two white fuzz balls. I really wish I could have gotten a picture for you, but I couldn't.

This spring and summer has been very stormy. We have had many severe storms with high winds. About 3 weeks ago we had a storm that caused a tree next door to loose the top half of it. That storm also sent our young birds out of their nest. Thankfully with the aid of their parents they have survived. They have since learned to fly and are still hanging around our house, across the street in the cemetery to be precise.

Tonight I heard the call of the adult Falcons as they hunted rabbits, squirrels and birds. I searched the trees, and I searched the skies until I was lucky enough to see one of the younger birds land on the ground. I quickly went in and got my camera. Here are by baby falcons, I am sure they are learning to hunt on their own now, but mom and dad are still helping them out.

This has been a great spring. It isn't often one has the chance to view the circle of life so close to home, with such rare creatures.

The Call of Nature (part 1)

This was originally written on April 12th.

Today while I stood outside, waiting for my ride to practice to pick me up I heard a bird call. The call was different from your usual crows, or sparrows. I scanned the trees in the neighbors yard and I spotted a pair of Falcons.



I was stunned. I was also happy because I have started carrying my camera every where I go. I was able to get 2 shots before they flew away.



I considered myself very lucky to have been able to see such a rare bird. Yes I live in a very small town of 1500 people, but with all the wooded areas around You would figure these two magnificent creatures would find a more secluded spot to build a nest. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I see one of the Falcons flying over my head with a small branch in it's mouth. It landed in one of the oak trees in my yard!



This is going to be a great spring, this is the first year they are nesting here and I hope they manage to hatch and continue to return every year in the future.