#s 11 & 12; intermission
Didn't have much time to fly Pele yesterday, what with the terrible weather and several hours spent trying to rescue-trap another passage female Coopers out of a warehouse (which we succeeded at, thankfully). We had about half an hour in the Red Lobster field, and flushed a bunny and a sparrow, but had no luck catching either one. That field doesn't have much game in it, and I wouldn't have even bothered, but what with the time constraints I opted for the closest place to fly her. At least she got some exercise.
Today is Pele's last flying day of the year, as I am leaving for home tomorrow for about a week. So we went out to our favorite field and caught two sparrows within about 45 minutes. The first was a great flight that ended with her diving into a dense bush after the bird. Two sparrows exploded from it as she entered, so I thought for sure that one was her bird and that she had missed it, but as I went over to retrieve her I found her on the other side of the bush, plucking away. She had apparently tucked her wings and plunged through about three feet of dense branches to catch this little bird right before it had been able to get out, itself. She's come a long way from her early days, when she was afraid to dive into tall grass after birds!
The second flight I hardly even remember. It was a typical short, fast flight and I believe she caught it in the air just inches from the grass, but I could only see her from behind so I don't know for sure that that's what happened. I just know she flared her wings and tail out, then did a slow little turn into the grass to land, so she must have had it before then. So there we have it, two completely different styles in one day, both successful for her. A fitting way to start her little Christmas vacation. She'll be staying with Heath for the week I'm gone, so hopefully she remembers me when I get back, haha.
Today is Pele's last flying day of the year, as I am leaving for home tomorrow for about a week. So we went out to our favorite field and caught two sparrows within about 45 minutes. The first was a great flight that ended with her diving into a dense bush after the bird. Two sparrows exploded from it as she entered, so I thought for sure that one was her bird and that she had missed it, but as I went over to retrieve her I found her on the other side of the bush, plucking away. She had apparently tucked her wings and plunged through about three feet of dense branches to catch this little bird right before it had been able to get out, itself. She's come a long way from her early days, when she was afraid to dive into tall grass after birds!
The second flight I hardly even remember. It was a typical short, fast flight and I believe she caught it in the air just inches from the grass, but I could only see her from behind so I don't know for sure that that's what happened. I just know she flared her wings and tail out, then did a slow little turn into the grass to land, so she must have had it before then. So there we have it, two completely different styles in one day, both successful for her. A fitting way to start her little Christmas vacation. She'll be staying with Heath for the week I'm gone, so hopefully she remembers me when I get back, haha.