In addition to training her eagle, she has done a lot of research,and to my envy got to meet the chronicler of the Gyrfalcon, Eugene Potapov, author of my favorite ornithological monograph (see link two posts down):
" I saw on the blog your discussion on Sakers. I just thought I'd mention that I ran into Eugene Potapov at this Asian Raptor conference. He is undoubtedly, one of the coolest people I've ever met. I really enjoyed talking Goldens and Steller's with him, and the hazards of field work in Siberia. He is also hilarious. After I told him what University I went to, he says, totally deadpan, "Lauren, I propose a study, where we go to this Oak-luh-homa, and measure the redness of the necks."
Speaking of "redness of neck" she also went out to Olgii to say farewell to our old friend and drinking buddy Aralbai, the hardest- core of eaglers, and also to pick up a new baby for him to train and release his ten year old to breed, as is Kazakh custom. (The birds live thirty or forty years). That's him with the Mongol cowboy hat.
Lauren again:
"Aralbai looks like a total cowboy out there, on his horse scouting for eagle nests - I didn't feel that far from home!
"Here is one more photo, when we released a 10 year old female back into the wild. She was trapped as a turnik, a two-year old, and subsequently flown for eight seasons, taking many foxes. I felt privileged to wave goodbye to her, as she went back out into the wild. That's falconry!"
9 comments:
Excellent post. Love seing Aralbai releasing his eagle.
What a FANTASTIC experience! NAFA has GOT to book her for a speaker at one of the meets in the near future.
All this stuff from Lauren is mindblowingly cool! I hope we can meet her if she visits.
Well, we are hoping she will stay several days, and she thinks she can- we'll let you know when as soon as we do!
Mimi/ Akilah-- beautiful site-- have bookmarked. Love the dogs AND the music!
I called Lauren's home today and tried her mobile phone-- all in vain. Anxious to see her and hear about her adventures. Lauren's adventures are amazing! We are sure proud of her.
Good post! A few selected pictures of Aralbai & family here:
www.alexander-rawlins.com
I'm hoping to take him a copy of Eagle Dreams (if i can find one) he didn't have the book the last time i visited in May; Steve, would you be kind enough to sign one for him & i can take it with me for the Winter festival?
I'd be delighted-- let's make sure we do it! (And that I have your address).
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