Hawk news

Re: To all my forum friends...

sallyls — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:50:37 GMT

Russell,

Has the station decided not to show the nest much anymore? I know some of us are still watching every day, looking for changes and visits by our pair or interlopers, trying to see what happens to the other egg, etc. and we are still recording what we observe. Can we see the nest more often please? I personally don't think it is any less interesting than the distant view of downtown, though I guess we might spy a fly by in that view. Thanks!

Re: To all my forum friends...

redfinch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:17:55 GMT

I can't add much more than what others have said without repeating myself, so I'll just say, Thank you, Russell, for all you've done. And thank you to all in the forum for your contributions. All of us have seemed to flock together in this forum and become friends in the meantime. Well done.

Re: To all my forum friends...

Sherrill — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:42:33 GMT

Let's remember that everything we do affects our environment which, in turn, affects the beautiful animals with whom we share this planet. Even poisoning a mouse, squirrel, etc. can cause a string of deaths way beyond that one animal. Putting chemicals on your lawn can cause birth defects, pain, and deaths in wild animals. Our actions impact more than we can imagine.

Most of all: Every little life is precious.

Re: To all my forum friends...

weeyin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:52:03 GMT

To Russell Mills, all the folks at kjrh, A- team hawksters, Our Redtails Hawks, Kay, Jay, Thunder & Spirit...all I can add....is a wee verse frae an auld scottish song.

We're nae awa tae bide awa..no we're nae awa tae leave ye...we're nae awa tae bide awa....till we come back an see ye!!

Slainte an Orrabest tae all :)

Re: To all my forum friends...

Gunit — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:34:42 GMT

Russell: Thank you for the beautiful thoughts. Through the efforts of you and KJRH we have been presented with this opportunity for two years. How lucky we are! You have been facilitator, peace keeper, educator and friend. Thank you for that. Although we are sad with the outcome this year we continue to have hope for the future. Bville, you are right, it is not "ova" yet. We will continue to learn and hopefully come to understand part of the vast world of nature.

Thank You.

Re: To all my forum friends...

Workaholic — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:26:56 GMT

Russell to repeat what others have said, so much better than I, thank you and everyone at KJRH for all you do to allow the public to witness these magnificent birds. I learn something new every time I catch up with that has been written while I was away or at work or out and about. I will continue to come back, We will be here. Thank You all so much RC

Re: To all my forum friends...

mamafrog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:39:52 GMT

Russell I want to thank you and the other people at KJRH who have sacrificed your time and given of your talents so we could all watch Kay and Jay. I watched them last year but I never quite got up my nerve to post in the forum. I really appreciate how welcoming all the members of the forum have been to me.

Thank you for starting the chat on the main hawk page. It was my privilege and honor to chat with so many people from around the United States. It is amazing how many people came to love our two hawks. And I say our because I think we all feel we own a little piece of them.

After watching the first year I just knew they would be more successful this year. It was heart breaking to see them fail. The only comfort is that we know that both Kay and Jay are surviving and that we have a hope to see them return next year.

And for one final anthropomorphizing moment:

To the Lord and Lady of Brookside. May you fly with the joy and happiness that we all wish for you. Every night we would see you, our little lady sleeping in a ball of feathers upon your tower. We knew that your brave Knight was standing guard in a nearby tree. We know that every morning he went out to slay the Pigeons of Peoria. He worked so hard to make you happy that the rats and pigeons have been vanquished and have moved to safer fields and telephone wires. We hope that next year you will return to our lives and bring the joy and happiness back. Fly well.

Re: To all my forum friends...

chansen — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:51:59 GMT

Thank you Russell and KJRH for the magic moments viewed through your cam. I never imagined I could be so attached to "Chicken Hawks". As sad as I am about the abandonment, it was really more difficult to lose little "Spirit". Technology has allowed us to observe what could only be imagined before. Now I look up in the sky and pay attention to the world around me.

I also enjoyed reading everyone's posts on the Forum from all over the country and Canada watching our Tulsa Hawks. Amazing.

Re: To all my forum friends...

Doodlebugsmom — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:54:45 GMT

Thank you Russell, and all, for the many hours of information.Its been a wonderful,yet sad,learning experience thus far.I will continue to visit this site frequently,and enjoy watching JJ grow and prosper.And come next season,I will hopefully watch again as Kay and Jay,again,hopefully,come back and give it another try.

Re: To all my forum friends...

sallyls — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:08:44 GMT

Thank you Russell for being there for us and the hawks, even when we got carried away :). And thank you KJRH for letting us see the hawks on your cam. We will be checking in and hoping to hear news of sightings of Kay and Jay and be ready for nesting season again next year, which will hopefully be on the tower once again!It is a rare and beautiful opportunity to view nature in a very intimate way and share it with others who are discovering its beauty and wonder. Love you all!!!

Re: To all my forum friends...

wings2c — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:57:55 GMT

birdrescue:
Many people don't understand the odds against an egg becoming an adult bird who raises its own chicks. By watching this cam, and others like it, we discover just how fragile life is for these wild birds. In turn, we learn to respect them and to preseve their habitats. And then we tell our friends and others. Through education and awareness, we can make sure the skies are always filled with birds.

Birdrescue, this is such a wonderful and necessary point to make. I wish more people could witness this and understand the need to protect wildlife and especially their environment and habitat. Perhaps Russell or the news station could make this point. Thanks for the beautiful post.

I, too, am a bird feeder! My birds are just beginning to return after the terrible winter we had here. I can't wait! I love watching them interact at the feeders and battle the squirrels for just a taste. But, most of all I just enjoy them.

Re: To all my forum friends...

Bville — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:57:17 GMT

I join in the bittersweet sentiments of the rest of you--some who are newly tuned in to this saga, some who have just returned after a while away, and some who stayed and "wintered" on the Forum, so to speak. Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote a poem about a kestrel--The Windhover. I think this line speaks for us all:
"My heart in hiding/Stirred for a bird...."

There's no doubt that the hearts of many were stirred by Kay, Jay and Thunder. They, as we, will now go on, living and learning as best we can, in one another's company. So with a paraphrasing nod to Forum friend Socal, I'll say with affection, gratitude and determination--and also with a hint of the smile that must remain in our still-stirring hearts, "Friends, it's not ova!"

Re: To all my forum friends...

wings2c — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:49:05 GMT

There isn't much more I can add to what has already been expressed in these post, except to say I agree with everything said. But, I am with Socal..."Russell you rock!".

I wasn't able to follow and stay connected after Thunder fledged last year. But, those of you who did welcomed me back in openly and I appreciate all of you so much. It has done my heart good, in a very down, dark period of my life, to be a part of this group and all that you represent....friendly, honest, helpful, dedicated, concerned and caring individuals.

We are all disappointed in the outcome. Our hopes were high. Not having answers is the hardest, I think. But, no matter what, we are with Kay and Jay no matter what nature brings them. I wish them safe and healthy for a long time to come and hope to see them again next year.

Re: To all my forum friends...

kjfmamas — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:33:42 GMT

Thank you for your truly touching note. It is amazing how much we are afftected by the wonders of nature when we simply take the time to pay attention. I'd also like to thank you and all the folks at KJRH that have helped make viewing the hawk's nest possible. It has been a great community service and a wonderful place for folks to learn and share and develop their love and respect of nature.

Kelley (kjfmamas)

Re: To all my forum friends...

katykats — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:10:07 GMT

Russell,

I too would like to thank you for all your hard work on Red-Tailed Hawk cam. I will continue to do my part for nature and buy the 50# sacks of Sunflower seeds, mixed seeds and cracked corn for my group of birds. I have around 200 feathered friends that visit me almost everyday. It is not unusual to see 50 at a time on the 8 feeders and/or ground where I also spread seed out for the ground feeders. I have put up two new Blue Bird houses and over the weekend, one of the houses is busy getting a nest built in it. Thanks again for everything.