10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2012

Every night the community gathers to play games and following that with a dance. Or they called at us from dog teams tethered on the ice, too busy stealing food to have a closer look. For those of you who shudder at this, know that I love it. I enjoy the dark season and it really flies by. Christmas up here is a busy season.

Tethering 184

Tethering Dogs Game Owls 184

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2013

Here I was, sitting patiently in a blind, watching a tethered European Starling on a string. The aim of the game was to band raptors, and specifically to band Golden Eagles. It required a bit of an ethical adjustment. Enough to draw the attention of a predator. And Science requires Sacrifice. Do I sound facetious? I’m not.

Eagles 234

Eagles Tethering Wounded Science 234

Animal Person

DECEMBER 17, 2009

In a stroke of the surreal, my heart beat frantically as my eye was yanked from the cheery, colorful bears on the sticker, to a mammoth black bear, tethered to the back of a white pickup truck, and held down with chicken wire. Or as if the other team is even aware the game is being played and has agreed to participate.

Bears 100

Bears Vermont Laws Wounded 100