Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment.
Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~
Mary Howell Cromer







Tuesday, July 24, 2012

You Never Know Until You Take a Chance~

 

Some may remember when my car was wrecked back on Mother's day morning...  
One day, shortly after, I found myself sitting in the collision department of a local Ford/Lincoln dealership, waiting.  When one waits, you find something to do and for me, it was to take my camera in and review and delete images.
  
While sitting and doing just that, the manager of the service department came to sit and chat.  Our family has known him for many years.  In fact our middle daughter and her family live on his road, which is 9 miles further out in the country from where we live.  He asked me what I took photographs of and then he really perked up my paying attention antenna...  He said "you know the 2 homes at the bottom of the hill,  right across the property line from where your daughter lives"...yes..."well, did you know that the gentleman that lives there is a Falconer?"  
Well no, I did not, and wow how great is that!!!


All this being said...every Monday all summer for the past several weeks, our 9 year old grandson Thomas has been staying with us as much as he can.  About a month ago, when I had driven out to get him, I thought about the man that was a Falconer as I drove by.  Once I had collected Thomas, and we were leaving his driveway, I suggested that we stop and introduce ourselves.  Thomas was all for it too. 

I was a wee bit hesitant, going up to a stranger's home, out in the middle of the country... however, it turned out to be a remarkable meeting.  
June and her husby Beau, were just wonderful, what a sweet couple, and both Thomas and I made new friends that day!  We were warmly invited in and ended up visiting for a couple of hours.  We found that we had so much in common, as well as love and appreciation for Birds of Prey.  

That brings me to my entry for today, which will also be linked up with Stewart at:

Wild Bird Wednesday
To view other bird images shared from around the world, visit at :




Let me introduce you to Beau and his  beautiful Red-tailed Hawk Olivia.  She was in the process of molting, but to me, she was still absolutely gorgeous!  
Beau is a Master Falconer, with a compassionate heart.  His wife June and I also has some amazing similar connections...it was a heaven sent meeting, and I was so thankful that I took a chance and stopped in to inquire...you just never know, until you take a chance~

 


Those intense eyes, their vision is amazing!
 


 The image above, one of 140 taken, was just about my favorite~
 
 
 


Below, in the middle, you will see Olivia's very first red tail feather begin to emerge;')~
 


Beau asked us if we would like to hold Olivia and I would love to have had the opportunity, but I wanted Thomas to have this chance, as well as get the images captured.  I was impressed with how soft spoken Beau was, as he explained what was about to happen, when he handed Olivia over to Thomas.  I was also impressed at how well Thomas handled himself, he was so proud, and it was some special memory making moments~
 
 


Those smiles say it all~
 
 
 
 
 
It turned out to be a thrilling day and I so look forward to getting to spend time with June, Beau and Olivia again in the future.  Beau has promised to take me to see Great Horned Owls come winter nesting season and I am so looking forward to that!
Have a great week~

29 comments:

  1. Wow! How cool is that? Fantastic photos and a great new friend! That's awesome, Mary! I know some falconers, but none that live close to me. I'll bet it was so exciting to see that handsome bird up close!

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  2. Wow! I would have LOVED to be your grandson! What great photos.

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  3. Wowee, that is a beauty Mary. I love 'em.

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  4. What a great story! You just don't realize how small a world it really is. Glad you got to me them and that beautiful bird.

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  5. that's wonderful, mary! so thrilling for your grandson, too. olivia is gorgeous!

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  6. What a fantastic experience!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. The expression on your grandson's face is priceless. I rather think your new friend was pleased to be able to share his hobby with you both, too. Just wonderful!

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  8. Mary, I have been remiss in visiting many of my friends and especially you, but today I had to take some time. And what a great time it is. These photos are remarkable... absolutely beautiful! You, my lady, are quite the photographer. I hope your week brings you much joy.
    PS: if we lived closer I might be stealing your little Beau... such a handsome young man. ;)

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  9. Oh My Mary, What absolutely amazing photographs! Wow, the chain of events to lead you and your grandson to meet June and Beau and their beautiful Hawk Olivia. This is a memory your grandson will always remember. Arne't you glad you took that chance? Great post!

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  10. What a beautiful bird and a wonderful adventure for your grandson!

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  11. Great pictures you show - great experience for your grandchild :)

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  12. Wow, what a wonderful story and oh wow what a beautiful bird. Your grandson is not afraid at all and he is so proud to hold the bird. Beautiful.

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  13. WOW!! What an incredible experience for you and young Thomas!! Such beautiful images, Mary! You really do never know!!
    Olivia is beautiful.

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  14. Just wonderful images Mary. You tell the story so well and then to see how Thomas takes to Olivia (my granddaughter's name by the way)the hawk is just briliant. Here is a recruit to the love of wildlife thanks to your example.

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  15. What a great set of pictures - being able to see birds like this close up it a really good thing for kids.

    Stewart M – Australia

    PS: sorry about the lack of thumbnails this week – will get it right for WBW #3

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  16. What a wonderful story! I love the shot of your grandson holding the hawk!

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  17. What a wonderful experience for you and your grandson! Your photos are beautiful!

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  18. I think we all need to "take a chance" now and then. What a wonderful experience for you! Your photos are fabulous.

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  19. Wonderful images and story. The pic with Thomas and Beau grinning is a heartwarming image.

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  20. What an interesting post and such a wonderful experience. You've got some incredible shots. I love those piercing eyes!

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  21. My husbands favorite bird ~ he loves your photos!

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  22. What a wonderful day for everyone! Your grandson will always remember it! And so will you of course. Lovely sharing time and that bird is incredible...wonderful eyes. Does remind me not to be afraid to take the chance!

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  23. Great photos and what an amazing experience to be that close to such a magnificent bird.

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  24. Congratulations on making some new friends! And these are lovely shots of Olivia.

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  25. A great experience. Olivia appears very well cared for, and what a thrill for your grandson!

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  26. It´s a true pelasure to come so close to that beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing :)

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  27. That will be a day that your grandson will NEVER forget. What a wonderful creature, molting or not.

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  28. Awesome shots! Love the details. And what an experience for the boy!

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