The name of the ‘New Guy’ is…

18 April 2022

Thousands of individuals sent in names suggestions for Annie’s new mate at The Campanile on the grounds of University of California – Berkeley. The single stipulation was that the name honour someone related to the Campus. While the initial list was narrowed down to nine names, by Friday there were three clear favourites: Lou, Archie, and Alden.

9478 votes were cast! Isn’t that incredible? And the winning name is Alden.

Cal Falcons posted the announcement just a short time ago.

Alden, you have been kind and loving to Annie. You came at the moment she needed help the most – almost as if you were sent by Grinnell. You won our hearts the minute you incubated the two eggs of Grinnell and we are so happy there is one of yours in there, too. May you and Annie stay safe, live long, and raise lots of little falcons!

It has a nice ring – Annie and Alden!

Thank you to everyone who took part and thanks to Cal Falcons for their FB page where I took my screen capture.

Published by maryannsteggles

I am a writer and occasional maker working with clay. I received my PhD from the University of Leicester in art history as a Commonwealth Scholar from Canada to the UK. Since then I have taught art history and ceramics until August 2020 when I returned to full-time writing. The giant umbrella under which I work is contemporary ceramics with an emphasis on wood firing, women who wood fire, the contributions of Vietnam Resisters on Canadian ceramics, and ceramics and sustainability. View all posts by maryannsteggles

4 Comments

Linda Kontol says:

11 thAmerica/Winnipegp30America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegMon, 18 Apr 2022 13:27:16 -0500 2021 at 13:27

Thanks for this Mary Ann! I like the name and I will always believe he is the Angel sent from Grinnell to help his Annie so his little ones can carry his name. The new guy Aiden is awesome in all his goodness for Annie and I pray Grinnell and Aiden’s eggs hatch the most beautiful falcons!🙏❤️❤️❤️
Linda

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maryannsteggles says:

11 thAmerica/Winnipegp30America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegMon, 18 Apr 2022 14:45:48 -0500 2021 at 14:45

Reblogged this on Mary Ann Steggles and commented:

Well, my old eyes always saw Aiden ——– but the name is Alden with an ‘L’. As one reader who loved Grinnell so much said, the saviour of Grinnell’s final offspring did deserve his own name.

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Lily says:

11 thAmerica/Winnipegp30America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegTue, 19 Apr 2022 02:40:10 -0500 2021 at 02:40

I voted for Archie but I like Alden, It pairs well with Annie. Annie and Alden. I think people wanted that connection to Grinnell kept alive, since Alden was his student.

Alden is an amazing falcon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such perfect timing occur in the bird world. It really is as if Grinnell sent Alden to care for his Annie and his eggs. And now Alden has his own little egg to incubate as well. What a kind, wonderful falcon Alden is.

Here’s a video of Alden chasing off a juvie female, it’s pretty spectacular.

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1. maryannsteggles says:
  
  11 thAmerica/Winnipegp30America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegTue, 19 Apr 2022 11:02:51 -0500 2021 at 11:02
  
  Lily, it is such a wonderful story of Alden arriving just in time. I have such a warm spot in my heart for him – like you!
  
  Reply