Falcon hazard!

[Tad]

I was at Lakewood (Seattle) early this AM and had a falcon swoop (not swipe) my drive off 13. Not sure if it was intentional or it was on it's way to grab a wiley crow on an adjacent branch. Pretty cool to see.

There was also a woodpecker trapped in the netted batting cage on 9. It was eventually able to escape after I propped an edge of the netting off the ground.

Picked up a few empties :mad: but the course was fairly clean except for the pile at the fence near 10's teepad :angry: :angry: It's a shame some people can't pack out what they pack in. At least put it in one of the g-cans.

I really hope this park doesn't get closed in 2010.

[TreeLove]

Tad, you sound like a nice person. Freeing that woodpecker was really cool; that kind of karma booster is great for the soul (and the score!). Amen, Lakewood is really sweet!

[sillybizz]

I was at Lakewood (Seattle) early this AM and had a falcon swoop (not swipe) my drive off 13. Not sure if it was intentional or it was on it's way to grab a wiley crow on an adjacent branch. Pretty cool to see.

There was also a woodpecker trapped in the netted batting cage on 9. It was eventually able to escape after I propped an edge of the netting off the ground.

Picked up a few empties :mad: but the course was fairly clean except for the pile at the fence near 10's teepad :angry: :angry: It's a shame some people can't pack out what they pack in. At least put it in one of the g-cans.

I really hope this park doesn't get closed in 2010.

I've noticed that falcon on 13 as well a couple a weeks ago, must have found some food in the trees above, falcons are some of the fastest birds on the planet and I am quite fascinated with them. Thank you for freeing that woodpecker Tad, like Treelove said there is good karma for you. Yeah and if Lakewood was no more I would cry.

[Uhlman]

Raptors (aka; birsd of prey) are really cool. My work is in the middle of weat feilds (which are great for practicing long drives) and there are hawks, eagles, and all mannor of raptors riding air currents looking for mice and other small animals. I am guessing that bird thought your disc was food or another bird trying to take over the area. Really cool.

[Tad]

I've seen piles of black feathers a couple times around the course. My guess is that it's staked out a decent hunting ground. Thankfully I've seen no piles of [disc] plastic!

As for karma boosting the score, it didn't seem to work yesterday :confused:

[Ol' Bob]

The only true falcons I've seen here are the kestrels. While really beautiful, they don't seem to disc. We have the occasional eagle, resident red tails, varied hawks passing through, and once, I even saw an osprey dive into the pond, though, to my disappointment, it didn't retrieve a disc. If any bird here takes up the disc, I think it would be the raven.

[ericedge]

I'm guessing that what you saw was a Cooper's Hawk (http://www.flickr.com/photos/freespirit5/2830022618/), an Accipiter that flies through the tree canopy picking off smaller birds to feast on. I see them at Lakewood often, in fact a week or two ago I saw one land in the tall fir tree halfway down the hole 13 fairway where it was being harassed by a pair of Hummingbirds of all things. Those piles of feathers you come across in the park are likely the remains of these hawks recent meals. If you see a group of crows making a ruckus and diving at a something, look around and see if there's a Hawk or an Owl hanging around! There are a lot of cool birds to be seen at the Lakewood course.

As far as falcons go, I do occasionally see a Peregrine hunting as I cross over the 1st Ave Bridge on my way to Lakewood. Plenty of Pigeons to plunder there.

[Iowa]

That's really cool to pick up all that trash. I have started to pick up trash I see such as beer cans, pop bottles, empty packs of cigs, ect. But what really gets me is there are garbage cans at every tee pad!

[erp]

Quoth the Raven, "You're Still Out!"

Here's a picture I took of a barred owl up at Lake Fenwick park - it couldn't care less that I was shooting pictures from 15 feet away.

Too bad these owls are running the spotted owls out of territory...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2453798356_85192d406c.jpg

The only true falcons I've seen here are the kestrels. While really beautiful, they don't seem to disc. We have the occasional eagle, resident red tails, varied hawks passing through, and once, I even saw an osprey dive into the pond, though, to my disappointment, it didn't retrieve a disc. If any bird here takes up the disc, I think it would be the raven.

[Ol' Bob]

I had the Battle of the Chicken Yard with a coopers hawk once. Sadly, I won. The hawk would come in, zig-zagging under the canopy, like Eric said, picking off our young chickens. I can't believe I actually got it with a .22. If I ever have chickens again, they will have netting over them. Though it was over 40 years ago, shooting that raptor was hard on my spirit.

[Scott]

Quoth the Raven, "You're Still Out!"

Here's a picture I took of a barred owl up at Lake Fenwick park - it couldn't care less that I was shooting pictures from 15 feet away.

Too bad these owls are running the spotted owls out of territory...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2453798356_85192d406c.jpg

What a great picture.

Many owls are diurnal; active for a few hours each in the morning and evening. Owls tend to be very quite overall and have excellent camoflauge. There's a good chance you're being watched more than you think!

[Adam Schneider]

Here's a picture I took of a barred owl up at Lake Fenwick park - it couldn't care less that I was shooting pictures from 15 feet away.
I had the same experience on hole #16 at Camp Tadmor last year; I guess owls that live on DG courses and/or summer camps are pretty tolerant!

[Uhlman]

Quoth the Raven, "You're Still Out!"

Here's a picture I took of a barred owl up at Lake Fenwick park - it couldn't care less that I was shooting pictures from 15 feet away.

Too bad these owls are running the spotted owls out of territory...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2453798356_85192d406c.jpg
Many Native American cultures believe the owl is a harbinger of death. I know manyto this day that belive seeing and hearing one is a bad omen. infact at my work it was asked that people not have pictures of owls on thier desk tops.

[erp]

I think the squirrels that were being eyed by this creature would agree with you, however there have been no deaths related to this particular owl that I am aware of.

What is almost getting ran over by a doe and her fawn a harbinger of?

Last night at Rooster I had to jump and yell at this doe or I was going to get knocked down the hill on the East 9...


Many Native American cultures believe the owl is a harbinger of death. I know manyto this day that belive seeing and hearing one is a bad omen. infact at my work it was asked that people not have pictures of owls on thier desk tops.

[Uhlman]

What is almost getting ran over by a doe and her fawn a harbinger of?

Last night at Rooster I had to jump and yell at this doe or I was going to get knocked down the hill on the East 9...

Over crowding??? I know in my area, because of the long spring, the deer population exploded and because the deer population exploded the predator population exploded. The cougar population in the Umatilla NF was about one cougar for ever three square miles. That's a lot of cat in a small area. Their normal population is about one for every 20 sq miles.

[Sam]

infact at my work it was asked that people not have pictures of owls on thier desk tops.

And you're sure - with this type of superstitious nonsense - that you don't work at a church?

[Uhlman]

And you're sure - with this type of superstitious nonsense - that you don't work at a church?
I'm fairly certain I don't work in a church, Unless Business Outsourcing is a religion.

[Matt B.]

I had the Battle of the Chicken Yard with a coopers hawk once. Sadly, I won. The hawk would come in, zig-zagging under the canopy, like Eric said, picking off our young chickens. I can't believe I actually got it with a .22. If I ever have chickens again, they will have netting over them. Though it was over 40 years ago, shooting that raptor was hard on my spirit.

As well as illegal. :nono::cop:

[Scott]

As well as illegal. :nono::cop:

True dat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918

[Ol' Bob]

Well, I was a dumb kid and thought protecting your stock was what farmers did. Over the years, the only wild predators that ever got any of my stock were weasels, raccoons, and that one hawk. Losses were over nine to one higher due to people's dogs. Never even had a problem with coyotes, even though I've seen them and hear them often. Seen this guy too: http://www.flyingdisk.com/img/pics/bobcat08.JPG

I've made up with most of the critters now:
http://www.flyingdisk.com/img/BobZapp&Rocky1.jpg http://www.flyingdisk.com/img/pics/rocky&gorilla.jpg

[jevon]

I've made up with most of the critters now:
http://www.flyingdisk.com/img/BobZapp&Rocky1.jpg

I've got one of them critters that's gonna get strangled if I catch him in the act. The night after I put fish in my pond the mf'er woke us up snacking on the goldfish. I built a handy dandy cover (my avatar) to keep the sonsab!tches out and it worked for a couple months. Woke up the other day and noticed the bastards had just walked across it sticking their grubby little paws through and ripped up my waterlily and water hyacinths. My goldfish are over 6" now and if another one ends up missing I'm gonna shimmy up that tree and throw down a coonskin hat or two! :pullhair::angry:


:explode:

[erp]

Could be an overpopulation issue - I had a similar incident a couple weeks ago at Dabney that I wrote about in another thread - there was a second-year fawn between me and the basket, eating apples oblivious to us.

My up shot flew by about 15 feet from his head and he barely flinched, kinda started a bit and then strolled away trying to look cool after my buddy threw his shot...neither of us placed the deer in any danger, however, if I was under 18, that sucker would have been converted to venison!

If you squint you can see the deer lined up with the basket, in this crappy iphone shot...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3865337739_459b3334d9.jpg


Over crowding??? I know in my area, because of the long spring, the deer population exploded and because the deer population exploded the predator population exploded. The cougar population in the Umatilla NF was about one cougar for ever three square miles. That's a lot of cat in a small area. Their normal population is about one for every 20 sq miles.

[erp]

You think you've got it bad - I have a racoon that's been coming into my back yard and raping my douglas fir.

Yes, you read that right...the racoon is the pervert of the animal kingdom...

There's this little lump by the root with a little hole in it to add to the whole disquieting situation....I've been trying to get video, but I'm usually asleep when it happens, and the silent screams of the doug fir do not waken me...

I've got one of them critters that's gonna get strangled if I catch him in the act. The night after I put fish in my pond the mf'er woke us up snacking on the goldfish. I built a handy dandy cover (my avatar) to keep the sonsab!tches out and it worked for a couple months. Woke up the other day and noticed the bastards had just walked across it sticking their grubby little paws through and ripped up my waterlily and water hyacinths. My goldfish are over 6" now and if another one ends up missing I'm gonna shimmy up that tree and throw down a coonskin hat or two! :pullhair::angry:


:explode:

[Uhlman]

You think you've got it bad - I have a racoon that's been coming into my back yard and raping my douglas fir.

Yes, you read that right...the racoon is the pervert of the animal kingdom...

There's this little lump by the root with a little hole in it to add to the whole disquieting situation....I've been trying to get video, but I'm usually asleep when it happens, and the silent screams of the doug fir do not waken me...

my dad uses a co2 bb pistol to protect teh fish in his pond. Pain is about the only thing the little pests understand

[Scott]

You think you've got it bad - I have a racoon that's been coming into my back yard and raping my douglas fir.

Yes, you read that right...the racoon is the pervert of the animal kingdom...

There's this little lump by the root with a little hole in it to add to the whole disquieting situation....I've been trying to get video, but I'm usually asleep when it happens, and the silent screams of the doug fir do not waken me...

Place a mousetrap inside the little hole. Problem solved. :shocked:

[Ol' Bob]

You think you've got it bad - I have a racoon that's been coming into my back yard and raping my douglas fir.

Yes, you read that right...the racoon is the pervert of the animal kingdom...

There's this little lump by the root with a little hole in it to add to the whole disquieting situation....I've been trying to get video, but I'm usually asleep when it happens, and the silent screams of the doug fir do not waken me...

Only a natural thing for him to do with his woody.

[Matt B.]

Only a natural thing for him to do with his woody.

That's knot funny!

[erp]

These puns, they're killing me!

[Tad]

I sense a hijacking here. :smash: A punny one though. :laughing:

[Matt B.]

I sense a hijacking here. :smash: A punny one though. :laughing:

The humor is pulpable.

[Ol' Bob]

The raptorous laughter will get us back on topic.

[TreeLove]

He is just enjoying his fir pie.

[LakeStevensBA]

that's how Treelove got his nickname..

[NWDiscer]

that's how Treelove got his nickname..

:slapface:

OH SNAPPITY SNAP SNAP....:whistler:


:cheers:

[Ol' Bob]

that's how Treelove got his nickname..

I know he drives a mean Scion.

sci⋅on: n.: a shoot or twig

[Sausage Fingers]

I had the Battle of the Chicken Yard with a coopers hawk once. Sadly, I won. The hawk would come in, zig-zagging under the canopy, like Eric said, picking off our young chickens. I can't believe I actually got it with a .22. If I ever have chickens again, they will have netting over them. Though it was over 40 years ago, shooting that raptor was hard on my spirit.

And you're lucky the statute of limitations has expired on that Federal offense you committed there Ol' Bob. Migratory Bird Treaty and all.:nono:

My wife, who is a licensed Falconer in the State of Oregon concurs with Eric's fine diagnosis. Falcons wouldn't hunt in the trees.

The TreeLove smack is priceless!:laughing::waaah::jumpspin::bowing:

:pirate:

[Ol' Bob]

And you're lucky the statute of limitations has expired on that Federal offense you committed there Ol' Bob. Migratory Bird Treaty and all.:nono:

Coming out of L.A. a dumb kid, and basically taught no respect for nature, taught by my father to kill any and all predators, actually, I have evolved so far as to not shoot at any wildlife. Marauding dogs and killer tomcats best stay wide of here though.

Forty years ago, I worked with a guy who told me that if I ate meat and didn't do my own butchering, I was just making Safeway my hired gun. I took this idea to heart. I raised meat for some years and found it hard to know the animals I ate. I took up hunting and ended up quitting all meat for years. I'll still murder fish and eat them, but I don't buy any meat. We've all agreed to make Lucky Mud and my adjoining property a wildlife sanctuary, which is the first reason we don't want dogs brought here.

I've worked with the Fish and Game cop and the Sheriff's Dept. to bust poachers. I wrote a public letter critical of hounding and got seriously beaten up for my trouble and told I was being taken out to the woods to be killed. I think I've paid some dues at this point. Many of my "No Hunting" signs got painted over last year. The hunters are pissed because I put my signs too high up to be easily taken down. I think the surveyors painted my signs with their paint can extensions.

[emmarose]

Coming out of L.A. a dumb kid, and basically taught no respect for nature, taught by my father to kill any and all predators, actually, I have evolved so far as to not shoot at any wildlife. Marauding dogs and killer tomcats best stay wide of here though.

Forty years ago, I worked with a guy who told me that if I ate meat and didn't do my own butchering, I was just making Safeway my hired gun. I took this idea to heart. I raised meat for some years and found it hard to know the animals I ate. I took up hunting and ended up quitting all meat for years. I'll still murder fish and eat them, but I don't buy any meat. We've all agreed to make Lucky Mud and my adjoining property a wildlife sanctuary, which is the first reason we don't want dogs brought here.

I've worked with the Fish and Game cop and the Sheriff's Dept. to bust poachers. I wrote a public letter critical of hounding and got seriously beaten up for my trouble and told I was being taken out to the woods to be killed. I think I've paid some dues at this point. Many of my "No Hunting" signs got painted over last year. The hunters are pissed because I put my signs too high up to be easily taken down. I think the surveyors painted my signs with their paint can extensions.

More importantly than "paying your dues" you have genuinely learned the error of your younger ways and the unfortunate teachings you were raised with...obviously you still feel pain over this...you probably always will...I hit a hawk with my suby a couple years ago and it still fills me with anguish when I think about it...nearly had to give up driving, I felt like I was some kind of traveling death machine (cats, small birds, chippies, frogs, newts...the hawk was the worst)...

You are living a lifestyle of care and compassion and I'm sure the spirit of that chickenhawk knows you are different, changed and wiser man than you once were.

and that's a total bummer about your signs being painted over and people hassling you about hounding...I've had a little bit of trouble with drunk ass poachers, but really good support from the county sheriff and state troopers out here and haven't had any trouble for the last couple of years.

peace threw disc golf,
emmarose

[erp]

Pulling into Milo a couple years ago for the Hab Rec I had a strange deja vu back to my youth hunting...I remember thinking how much better it was to be throwing than hunting since success in the latter basically means winding up the day armpits deep in the corpse of another beast.

People with big opinions about their need/right/proclivity to eat meat who have never taken an animal from cradle to plate are people with uninformed opinions.

Granted, after 15 years of not eating much meat at all, I have taken to calling bacon a fruit...time for some reflection I suppose...

Coming out of L.A. a dumb kid, and basically taught no respect for nature, taught by my father to kill any and all predators, actually, I have evolved so far as to not shoot at any wildlife. Marauding dogs and killer tomcats best stay wide of here though.

Forty years ago, I worked with a guy who told me that if I ate meat and didn't do my own butchering, I was just making Safeway my hired gun. I took this idea to heart. I raised meat for some years and found it hard to know the animals I ate. I took up hunting and ended up quitting all meat for years. I'll still murder fish and eat them, but I don't buy any meat. We've all agreed to make Lucky Mud and my adjoining property a wildlife sanctuary, which is the first reason we don't want dogs brought here.

I've worked with the Fish and Game cop and the Sheriff's Dept. to bust poachers. I wrote a public letter critical of hounding and got seriously beaten up for my trouble and told I was being taken out to the woods to be killed. I think I've paid some dues at this point. Many of my "No Hunting" signs got painted over last year. The hunters are pissed because I put my signs too high up to be easily taken down. I think the surveyors painted my signs with their paint can extensions.

[Ol' Bob]

I have taken to calling bacon a fruit...Well, really you don't have to kill the pig to get the bacon. It would be a quality of life question for Porky, though.

=========================

Interesting that Gawain has issued no denials.

[Tad]

Wow. My son and I were at Lakewood yesterday evening and had an interesting experience at the tee on 11. We had just arrived at the tee and heard some loud scuffling way up in one of the really tall trees. We looked up just in time to see this squirrel falling to earth. I thought for sure we were going to witness something ugly.

With it's legs stretched out it reminded me of a skydiver and I swear it had one of those cartoon "surprised" looks just like this :eek: It belly-flopped on the leaves and grass and one of it's young immediately landed just a foot away. The adult popped right up and went into defensive mode to guard it's young one, which was squealing loudly. It looked okay but wasn't positive as the adult put a firm bite on it and headed back up the tree.

My son and I just stood there in disbelief at what we'd just witnessed. :shocked: Looked like it'd all ended well as we drove up the hill off the tee.

[LakeStevensBA]

My daughter played a round at Lake Stevens last year and someone in her group threw a hard drive into one of the big fir trees. Unfortunately, it also hit a grey squirrel that was climbing the tree and it died on impact. They said a couple squirrel prayers and buried it nearby.

That could have traumatized her if she already wouldn't have been traumatized by just being my daughter.....

[DMajor]

Local squatters on the home course this weekend

[Tad]

Local squatters on the home course this weekend

Actually, I think we are the squatters when it comes down to it? We can coexist successfully if we do it right.

What course is it? Beautiful it is!

[DMajor]

Those pics are from a nine hole course I built at my dad's house in Redmond. I tried to organize a work party on Sat. to clean it up and get it playable as it has acouple years of growth on it at the moment. The deer where the only ones who showed up and all they did was poop and look at me funny. But Bambi her mom and I got a full days work in anyway and unless I break both my arms I will be getting it nice and parked out after the tournament season settles down.

http://www.nwdiscgolfnews.com/forum/showthread.php?p=33429#post33429

[Tad]

Those pics are from a nine hole course I built at my dad's house in Redmond. I tried to organize a work party on Sat. to clean it up and get it playable as it has acouple years of growth on it at the moment. The deer where the only ones who showed up and all they did was poop and look at me funny. But Bambi her mom and I got a full days work in anyway and unless I break both my arms I will be getting it nice and parked out after the tournament season settles down.

http://www.nwdiscgolfnews.com/forum/showthread.php?p=33429#post33429

Nice. I bet if you'd mention "beer" :cheers: you could've attracted more than Bambi and her mom. :D