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.

You bet your sweet behind, I'm biker trash

No, I wasn't raised biker trash, I just became biker trash. When I first met Jake, he had, I believe a '92 Sportster. For the first year we were together, and the first month or so we were married, that bike was our only transportation. It was Arizona, we could get away with it. Then in 1998 Jake bought me my first Harley for our second wedding anniversary. It was a 1987 black-cherry sportser.



I loved that bike. It gave me the freedom to just get up and go when ever I felt like it.

When we lived in Arizona we were very active in our local H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) chapter. We planned, volunteered for, and ran many events including poker runs and bike rodeos. For the last few years we were there, our chapter organized and ran the bike games for the state rally. Our H.O.G. chapter was our second family.

Then in 2002 I talked Jake into leaving Arizona for greener (literally)pastures. We sold my bike to help pay for moving expenses and headed to Illinois. The first year we were here we joined a local chapter, but they were just too big. They were organized to the point of chaos. They had many small day trips, but no large event like we were used to. It was very hard for us to fit in, so we drifted away. We became solitary riders. Independent from any group. Jake and I rode into Milwaukee by ourselves for the 100th anniversary. We rode all over the southern and middle of Wisconsin that week. Always on our own. While it was fun, it just wasn't the comradare we loved in Arizona.

This year, with the soaring gas prices, we have started growing our own little biker gang. One of the Sgt's Jake works with went out and bought himself a full dresser, then his neighbor went out and bought a bike. Suddenly it's "Hey, Jake, when are we gonna go ridding?" and Jake answers, "When you can ride for more than 30 miles at a time" and they laugh.

Then our buddies down the street traded their Honda Shadow in for a full dresser so the wife would be more comfortable on the back. Now it's the same thing, "Hey guys, when are we going to go ridding?" It has taken us 5 years to find a small group of friends we can ride with on a regular basis.

Then about two weeks ago We are told a guy in town is selling his bike for a very reasonable price. We think, well the car will be paid off in 10 weeks, why don't we try for it. We get the call from the bank and Jake is the proud owner of a 1995 dresser (I don't know the model).

And I get my own bike once more.

What is really funny about our bikes is, because they are only a year apart, the colors and the pinstripes match, exactly. No, it wasn't planned.