We are on a streak! Ducked out of work at 4:00 yesterday, and Cleveland was sitting right at 915 grams. We headed over to the Lowe's field, and the wind was blowing pretty good. Started out kicking through the open section (the "flag pole" if you will....see earlier posts, if you don't know what i'm talking about.......), but it seems that the rabbits have bailed on that area. Good to know for future reference.....I can stop wasting my time there! That must be their summer hang out, but now that the cover is lower, they have vacated for more secure areas. Anyways, after kicking through there some, I gave up, and started heading through the head high Johnson grass, that borders that portion of the field. CJ took off after a rabbit that must have scooted out the side, but it made it to the third tree clump, and he was left empty footed on the ground. Hopped him back up, and he took his perch up on the power pole again. Continued on, and I pushed another one out, that promptly made it to the second clump of trees, just as Cleveland arrived. These rabbits are going to have to figure out a new game plan, because it won't be long until the cover dies back more, and I will be able to get into those clumps for reflushes!!! Yesterday though, they were smart moves, and CJ was getting a little bit amped. He took off into the air, and soared up about 70 feet, and followed me around for a good 10 minutes or so. He has started doing this more (when he has had a few misses...), and I would like to think that it's because he has learned that game appears when he does this. It's still too early in the behavior to know if he has that solid connection or not, but I'm hoping the light bulb is at least flickering! I tossed out a couple pigeons to him, and though he made some good attempts at them, wasn't able to snag either one.
After a bit, he landed back on his power pole, and I took off toward the back portion of the field. I was hugging the tree line, and made it about 50 yards from the pole, when CJ took off in a pretty level flight from the power pole. This wasn't his normal 45 degree downward angle that I'm used to, but he was flying with intent, so I knew he wasn't just going to a new perch. I stopped to watch, and he was gradually getting lower and lower. He disappeared from view after a moment, and then guess what.....yep............................SQUEEL!!!!!!!!! I started running over there, but quickly stopped doing that when I realized how far I was going (no jokes Ryan!!!! That run, after the duck flight the other day, almost killed me! I HAVE to start getting into shape!), and since I didn't really have a specific spot I was going to, didnt't want to accidentally step on them! Wandered around for a minute or two, before I found him on the ground. He had made it all the way to the the back corner of the front section (if that makes sense), and was crouched low in some cat tails. I looked back at the power pole, and my best guess, is that the flight was a good 200 yards or so! Pretty psyched, because if he is willing to take a slip that far out, it must means his confidence is going up. Finally starting to like this bird (it's funny how that happens, once we start catching stuff!!!!!), and it seems like I have his weight down now. He has been doing well at 915, so once this 70 degree weather goes away, I'm going to push him up to 920 for a few days, and see how that goes. If he stays consistant, then we will go up another five grams. So that's it for the update....number 11 in the bag, and it's on to number 12!
-D-
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