What fun today was . . . Birdie and I drove to Florence (Montana), along with Gary Wolfe and his wife Rita, for a site visit with Kate Davis, executive director, Raptors of the Rockies to learn more about this education project and tour Raptor Ranch. Since 1988, Kate has been providing quality care to permanently disabled birds of prey and educating the public — more than 100,000 of all ages — about eagles, hawks, falcons and owls through educational and wildlife art programs. An accomplished artist, photographer and writer, she has published at least five books books about raptors including "Raptors of the West," which won the National Outdoor Book Award for design and artistic merit, and grand prize for the Montana Book Award in 2011. |
With a not-so-secret desire to learn falconry, I immediately became mitten by Sonny (Bald Eagle), Nigel (Golden Eagle), Ansel (Gyrfalcon/Peregrine hybrid), iPod (Northern Pygmy-Owl), as well as all the others . . . and left a great fan of Kate, who is such a passionate powerhouse for knowledge and love of raptors!
After a tasty lunch and home-made gelato at Caffe Firenze, Birdie returned to Missoula while Gary, Rita and I headed to Stevensville. Next up, a site visit with the Bitter Root Land Trust — Tonia Bloom (board member), Kyle Barber (Conservation Director) and Emy Royce (Program Administrator) — to tour two conservation easement projects in the Burnt Fork Drainage. The first has been successfully completed while the other is currently underway. Both beautiful properties land with stunning views of the Bitterroot Valley. As it got progressively hotter throughout the afternoon, we headed to the Stevenville soda fountain for yummy Wilcoxson ice cream before our drive back to Missoula.