California in the late 60's early 70's, falconry meets were held at campsites with good hawking within walking distance. The smell of fresh coffee and breakfast, hawking all morning, naps, hawking in the afternoon. Nightly gatherings, falconers selling their wares, the days hawking stories around campfires, and your birds staked out right next to you were an intimate part of it all and the reason you were all there. The experience....priceless. Truly defining moments in the history and development of North American Falconry.
Handsome Update: In the spring of our third season together, a passage female Kestrel would visit each morning while Handsome was weathering. From their reactions I knew it was time. Handsome now has a family, he and his young bride reside near our old hawking area not far from home. I see them from time to time, he is a great little bird and the boy could really fly, I miss him.