Falcons and Fireworks; november_girl's birthday

I'm adding this post to my memories as soon as I've written it; I never want to forget yesterday.

The inimitable november_girl had invited us to go hawking for her birthday. We came, saw the new abode she and ephraim have bought together in a very English village in or near all the wild prettiness of Warwickshire, drank much bubbly, and come the morning, launched ourselves at the falconry centre.

( chicks and vultures )

Then we met the birds we were working with. Basil the somethingowl (forget his latin name) who looked as though he had the hangover we all deserved from the night before; we never got to meet him properly, simply because we ran out of time working with all the others; a shame cos he looked cute, but what can you do? We had such fun with Gizmo the funky little barn owl who flew from hand to hand like a dream, Storm the great Harris Hawk, who came when called, Cash the enormous eagle owl with his great red gold eyes, swooping towards you when he felt like it, Moss the snowy owl who would fall off your hands if youu didn't keep them steady, Solo the Saker, who wheeled and soared; To feel their wings touch one's head, the weight on your arm, their eyes meeting yours, their imperious cries, to be so close to a wild thing... I didn't think the day could get better. But it did.

( Death in the Afternoon )

In another world, somewhat later, ephraim presented us with a surprise firework display. The surprise was at the noise a rocket makes when it explodes at ground zero. Plus, the shed, despite best efforts, did not burn down. We oohed and aahed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves; and then came home having discovered that for all its old English charm, there are no chippies in Warwickshire.

My thanks to november and ephraim for their hospitality and an incredible experience. Saturday looks to be a total hoot, but yesterday was sublime.