It has been ten days and, yet, it seems like yesterday that we lost our beloved Grinnell. His stature amongst the falcon community and the abundance of people that loved this small feathered stealth flyer are, along with the continuing tributes, a testament to how our raptors can touch and melt our hearts.
Megan Fradley-Smith wrote one of the most moving tributes for the Golden Gate Audubon Society. I wanted to share it with you in case you had not seen it.
Thank you for joining me. I wanted to share these tributes as I know so many of you watched Annie and Grinnell from the time they were first raising eyases on The Campanile at Berkeley. It is so difficult when such a beloved bird dies. Grinnell was part of our families, our lives. We looked forward to seeing him everyday. It has been a huge loss to us all since his death on 31 March. Thankfully, there is not a lot going on in Bird World. It is, thus, a wonderful day to reflect on all the joy that Grinnell brought to our lives. Grinnell will continue to live in our hearts forever.
I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.
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Wow what a beautiful tribute to Grinnell. Because of this blog I am learning so much about so many different birds and I am starting to look at the different web cams, So thank you for that
Oh, thank you. I really wanted to share those wonderful articles about him. Often we don’t see them and, well, Grinnell was special. I am so glad you are enjoying the blog and learning about other nests. There are far too many! It is hard to keep up with them! Have a lovely day. Thank you for writing in, Melissa.
Beautiful tribute to Grinnell, Mary Ann. He captured the hearts of so many, I wish I could have followed he and Annie longer but such is life. He was really a special Peregrine Falcon. ❤️
Thank you, Lily. So many are posting images and thoughts on Grinnell. It is nice to be able to share them with everyone. Grinnell was a very special falcon that will live long in people’s hearts. I am sorry too you didn’t get to see him as a dad – he was fantastic. Hoping the new guy is too. Thank you for your note, Lily.
Thank you Mary Ann for this wonderful Tribute to Grinnell! We will always remember and love him. I am in tears.
Have a great evening
Linda
It is heart warming to know that Grinnell was loved by so many, Linda.
Wow what a beautiful tribute to Grinnell. Because of this blog I am learning so much about so many different birds and I am starting to look at the different web cams, So thank you for that
Oh, thank you. I really wanted to share those wonderful articles about him. Often we don’t see them and, well, Grinnell was special. I am so glad you are enjoying the blog and learning about other nests. There are far too many! It is hard to keep up with them! Have a lovely day. Thank you for writing in, Melissa.
Beautiful tribute to Grinnell, Mary Ann. He captured the hearts of so many, I wish I could have followed he and Annie longer but such is life. He was really a special Peregrine Falcon. ❤️
Thank you, Lily. So many are posting images and thoughts on Grinnell. It is nice to be able to share them with everyone. Grinnell was a very special falcon that will live long in people’s hearts. I am sorry too you didn’t get to see him as a dad – he was fantastic. Hoping the new guy is too. Thank you for your note, Lily.