Oct 10 2007
A Tribute to a Matriarch on the Anniversary of her Death
One year ago today (October 10, 2006) Buffalo’s resident Peregrine Falcon female was found dead on a sidewalk just a few blocks from the Buffalo/Statler nest site. She died of Trichomoniasis, a protozoan parasite, which affects the bird’s throat leading to starvation.
Tonight I remember and pay tribute to her. I remember how I felt the first time I watched her fly over Niagara Square (vocalizing VERY loudly and chasing off an intruding female – way back in April of 2004). I remember how I was always amazed as I watched her raise and fledge her young in the middle of downtown Buffalo over the years. Most importantly I remember how she was and still is, an inspiration and catalyst for me to learn more, observe more and to share more with all who would/will listen or read about the wonder of all that surrounds us in this urban environment.
Without knowing or caring, she has also brought people throughout the world together in friendship – a wonderful legacy for a bird that ruled the skies of the “City of Good Neighbors” for so many years.
If you care to read, I left all the messages that were posted in her honor and memory last year on our forum, they can be found here . She was an inspiration for so many during her time here in Buffalo, more than I had ever realized. Beauty was/has been replaced by a new female at this nest, but for many of us she is not yet forgotten. In closing this post I want to share a poem that our forum member Joyce shared last year:
Fragile Circle
We who choose to surround ourselves with lives
even more temporary than our own,
live within a fragile circle,
easily and often breached.Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we still would live no other way.We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan.– Irving Townsend
Fly free Buffalo Beauty, Fly free…
