Hawkeye and the Peregrine Falcon
Our two-week camping excursion in the desert southwest with our 10-year-old grandson, Jaden, was extraordinary. He brought a freshness of perspective, an eagerness of spirit, and keenness of eyes and ears.
Jaden and Gracie in Kodachrome Basin State Park
One chilly morning in the middle of our trip, he woke us out of a sound tent sleep at 6:30 a.m. “Maga, Nina, listen!” he said.
We sat up in the predawn light so our not-so-young ears could perceive what had caught his attention. A high-pitched, loud, scolding call was coming from somewhere on the canyon wall high above our tent at Utah’s Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Cliff above our tent in predawn light
“It’s a peregrine falcon! I know it is!” exclaimed Jaden.
I wasn’t sure, but it certainly was a possibility. Our young lad often watches nature shows with his parents, so he probably had heard their call before. “OK, let’s bundle up and go see,” I said.
At this point in the trip we are good about early morning layering—fleece pants and top over our long underwear, down jackets, wool cap and gloves and boots. All three of us and our corgi dog, Gracie piled out of the tent.
“Rehk, rehk, rehk” continued the whistling, scolding call from the red canyon wall high above. I plunked Jaden down in a camp chair with the binoculars to scan the cliff top. Nina put hot water on the stove for tea and hot chocolate and I made a fire out of the wood Jaden had split the night before. Our corgi curled up on her chair next to Jaden. The thermometer on my pack registered 32 degrees F. The sun would not reach down to our campsite for another hour.
Jaden splitting wood
“I think I see it!” said Jaden. Sure enough, our Hawkeye, as we began to call him from this point forward in the trip, had spotted an adult peregrine falcon on the top of a knob at the pinnacle of the cliff. The morning’s red/orange sunshine was just beginning to illuminate the dark cap and “moustache” of this spectacular species as it made its warmth giving journey out of the heavens and down to the valley floor.
“There is another one out on the edge, too,” Jaden said. “It does not look like an adult. It’s browner and doesn’t have that cap.”
Sure enough. He was right again. “What do you think the two of them are talking about?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” said the young ornithologist.
“My guess is that the adult is telling the young one to go find it’s own territory,” I said. “This area belongs to the adult and it’s time to nest.”
Young ornithologist eating his waffle and sausage breakfast
“Peregrines are my favorite birds in the world,” said Jaden. Nina and I wrapped our arms around our amazing young man and congratulated him on his careful observations.
Over and over again during the trip this young city boy astounded us —with his curiosity, with his cheerfulness, with his sense of wonder. Truly, it was an honor and a privilege to be part of his baptism into camping life.
Checking bird notes as the day warms up
Wonderful story! I hope there are many more to follow!
What a lucky boy to have the two of you in his life! I start with that so you don’t forget. With grandchildren of my own, I know the good fortune is largely ours. What a marvelous adventure.
How wonderful to have had this experience, to be making such memories for all of you. Thank you for the words and pictures. Makes me smile as I recall times with my Oma, not camping but learning how to tend to her garden.
PS – I love the names you have been given, I imagine from your grandchildren. My parents became Buddy and Poppy to their grandchildren, the eldest the name giver.
Can’t think of a better nickname for a young boy than Hawkeye… and that he EARNED it!
Glad you had a good time in my favorite part of the world///
Sara
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Ann. It struck me how confident Jaden was in his observation that he heard a peregrine falcon and was then able to confirm his knowing through binoculars. It is also really cool that his parents also try to help this city boy hone his naturalistic intelligence. Well done!
Your story about the falcon brought to mind a poem I have long appreciated, by Robert Duncan, “My Mother Would Be a Falconress.” Might be a fun read for you and Jaden!