Rusty Feathers Design

05/31/2026

☀️

05/31/2026

💪

Here is something a lot of people outside falconry probably do not understand.

Most wild-caught falconry birds are not “taken” from the wild in the way people might imagine. In many cases, they are better understood as being borrowed from the wild.

A young bird is trapped during a legal season, cared for, trained, hunted with, and given a much better shot at surviving the most dangerous stretch of its life. Young raptors face high mortality in their first year as they learn to hunt, avoid predators, survive weather, and navigate a world full of vehicles, power lines, starvation, and other hazards.

Under a falconer’s care, that bird gets food, protection, conditioning, veterinary care when needed, and daily hunting experience. And when the time is right, many wild-caught falconry birds are released back into the wild as stronger, healthier, more experienced hunters.

Even after years with a falconer, a wild raptor is still wild. They do not become pets. They do not become domesticated. If released, they return to being exactly what they always were.

That is one of the things that makes falconry so unique. It is not ownership in the usual sense. It is a temporary partnership with a wild predator.

Learn more each week on the Sporting Chance Podcast, available on all major platforms.

🌐 https://www.sportingchancepod.com/

05/24/2026

05/19/2026

Oh man, this is a shocking but informative video! Sound on to hear her suggestions at the end. 🤢🥴

05/13/2026

🐞

The highly invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been reported in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Jackson, and Lenawee counties. Those counties are currently known to be infested. You do not need to submit a report for sightings made in these counties.

They are poor flyers but can hitchhike as adults, nymphs, or egg-masses on cars/equipment. If you have traveled to an area where these are known to be found, CHECK your car and equipment for egg masses!

If you see a spotted lanternfly, please remember to:
Take a picture.
Squish it.
Report it.

For more information, visit: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/insects/spotted-lanternfly

05/01/2026

😌🫶✌️

Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being. It’s a time to take care of your mind and check in on the people you care about. Spending time outside, listening to birds and watching nature can help you feel calm and relaxed. 🐦☀️ Even a few quiet minutes in your backyard can make a big difference. Let’s support each other and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. 💛

05/01/2026

💁🏻‍♀️😂✨

“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking." - Miranda Priestly

Gird your loins! Just kidding, this won’t be that long. Spring is in full bloom across national parks, as vibrant wildflowers transform the landscapes with their stunning displays.

What kind of flowers? Please bore someone else with your questions. Actually, depending on the park, you may see trillium, lady slipper orchids, violets, sunflowers, bluebells, and various lupine, just to name a few. Can you please spell Phlox divaricata Linnaeus (Eastern Blue Phlox)?

Help protect park wildflowers: please stay on designated trails and remember, leave only footprints, take only photos.

That’s all.

Image: Not quite cerulean blue. Eastern Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata Linnaeus var. divaricata) at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

04/30/2026

Send a message to learn more

04/30/2026

LAST CALL for auction item donations!

MAY 14TH from 5:30pm to 7:30pm is the date for our fourth annual "SPRING FLIGHT" silent auction at Silver Spruce Brewing on 8th St in Traverse City.

We still have space, and YOU might just have what we need!

THE DETAILS...

What we are looking for:
-Auction-able items of any value ranging from $25 to $5000
-Merchandise, food items, or gift certificates for local businesses
-Art items, sculptures, clever creations, or anything craft related
-Certificates for services you may provide and may be willing to donate for a good cause!
-Anything else wildlife lovers might appreciate (bonus points if it's raptor related!).

We request that, as much as possible, ALL donations be submitted by May 1st. Any item donations or questions regarding the event can be directed to [email protected].

04/29/2026

I wondered what these were. 🌈 The more you know