My favorite photo - a newly fledged Bald Eagle has a feisty American Kestrel take a ride for a second, taken at the river behind the house.
Pileated Woodpecker pair in the front yard. New photos nearly every day on our Blog page!
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Things are always hopping at the Raptors of the Rockies organization. We're taking care of the birds and maintaining their enclosures, we're conducting raptor programs at local schools and organizations across Western Montana, art is flying out of the studio, we're taking photos and shooting video, we're out in the field birding and/or doing research, and much, much more. To help you keep up with the flurry of activities happening at Raptors of the Rockies, we're blogging on a more-or-less daily basis and our most recent posts are listed below. Enjoy!
Sandhill CranesPosted: Sun, 30 Mar 2025First heard them on St. Patricks Day for a split second, then several more times as their call travels as far as two miles. Finally spotted a couple yesterday, hurray!
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Return TodayPosted: Fri, 28 Mar 2025"I'm baaaack!" At least we think it's the same Osprey at my neighbor Kathy and Terry's. Early girl, always the female first, determined by the dark "necklace" of feathers, and the last two years on March 23rd. And also both years no young, as the pair abandoned the nest nearly right away last year, perhaps found a better spot. Kathy wonders if it may be due to the new house just to the south. And hey, you House Sparrows! Scram. Anyway, we'll keep an eye and fingers crossed!
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Tim, Miller Barns...Posted: Wed, 26 Mar 2025 ...Loves Sibley the Peregrine! He told me to park by the hitching post (for horses!)
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Mission Valley Amish Christian SchoolPosted: Wed, 26 Mar 2025What an amazing day in St. Ignatius yesterday, Amish kids grades 1-8, two teachers, and some family members. We were invited by Tim Schrock of Miller Barns, makers of our awesome new Falconhouse. I drove right by the school as I thought it was empty - no cars, then noticed the fleet of bicycles leaning up on one wall. I offered to do a Powerpoint (I called it a "slide show") but no electricity. For lights, hand lit mantles on lines from the ceiling, all wood heat, amazing. These were by far the sweetest kids I have ever met, shy and reluctant to hoot up an owl at the end. But I covered my eyes so they wouldn't be embarrassed and they eventually all joined me in a hoot, after 6 or 7 tries! And this was Taiga the Rough-legged Hawk's first off site program, a NATURAL. Man, really needed a good day, trust me. Thanks Amish Community, with Sibley for a pose in their back yard.
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406 Woman Magazine StoryPosted: Mon, 24 Mar 2025 Just out this week and 10,000-16,000 printed copies + on line flip-book https://issuu.com/406woman/docs/406_woman_march_april_2025_lifestyle/14 Me So Proud. |
Miller Barns to the RescuePosted: Sat, 22 Mar 2025I knew we had to move a bunch of birds with the neighbor's new warehouse, and thought of the buildings by Miller Barns! I was standing front of a gorgeous greenhouse talking to owner Tim Schrock on the phone. "Can you make it 16 feet long, slanted roof, divided in half, doors on either end?" SURE and two weeks later, the new Falconhouse delivered/installed south of the driveway. Awesome, new pals!
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Before/After 2Posted: Thu, 20 Mar 2025
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RelocationPosted: Thu, 20 Mar 2025 In o In our 25th year at the Raptor Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley, we have undergone a huge facelift this month. Changes in the neighborhood have required us to relocate half our birds, two to the southern side of the property in a new building after the quiet solitude they enjoyed their entire lives. We have new neighbors and their 80 foot warehouse built by the enclosures.There is a solution thanks to an awesome local business and news on the way. Before/After
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Big DayPosted: Wed, 19 Mar 2025We started the afternoon with a visit from our favorite high school science teacher, Vanessa Haflich and her Hamilton senior class. It was our 6th year in a row we guessed (bet I could look that up) and lucked out between snow squalls. Then a trip to Missoula for a Board Meeting that we decided was the opposite of a Bored Meeting. Big news on the way.
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Quail, Too!Posted: Mon, 17 Mar 2025 I keep hearing the name of a place I lived as a kid, "Chicago! Chicago!" and it's all the California Quail in the yard. Beginning of breeding season for these non-native, introduced, everywhere-birds. That's what their call sounds like, but actually we lived in Glenview, Illinois - 1965 or so.
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