FalconWatch

Zeus’s Advice on Planning for Change

I’m proud to announce the arrival of two falcon chicks! Hera and I are anxiously waiting for the other three to hatch. What a great May Day surprise! Visit the FalconCam to see the chicks live; you should be able to hear them chirping soon.

This just happens to be a very timely subject today. As Hera and I prepared for the arrival of our five chicks, I started thinking about how important it is to start planning for the future. Luckily, living on the 28^th floor of the Woodmen Tower, I’ve overheard quite a few conversations around how Woodmen of the World helps provide security throughout your life and income for your family in times of need. Life Insurance can protect your child while starting a nest egg for the future.

It’s important to consider what would happen if you became disabled and were unable to work. You might find yourself in a financial dilemma. This could become even more prominent when other people become dependent on your income, like, say, five new baby chicks. So every time there’s a change in your family situation, either in your immediate or your extended family, make sure you take a minute to carefully consider whether that change should trigger a reevaluation of your insurance needs.

Click here to find out more about the options available to prepare for your future.

Hera's Favorite Summer Parks

Fontenelle Park Sprayground

Fontenelle Sprayground is the City's newest splash pad and is a place I like to visit on those hot summer days. A quick shower can do wonders for the mom of multiples! It has nine spray features including colorful dumping bells, spinners and spray "flowers". It gets better, the ground sprays are interactive! When a child steps on a spray, nearby sprays react by rising higher. It even has water jellies that spray lower for toddlers. Nearby shaded benches are great for parents so they can sit nearby and observe the fun.

Location: Fontenelle Park at 4405 Fontenelle Boulevard.

Memorial Park

Memorial Park is a memorial dedicated to veterans who served in World War II. My favorite feature of this park is the formal rose gardens with over 1,000 rose bushes making it so colorful and fragrant!

On the last Friday in June, Zeus and I always attend "Bank of the West Celebrates America" concert in the park, which always ends with a fireworks show in commemoration of Independence Day. It's always nice to invite our cousins from Lincoln to come up and visit for this concert, too! http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/blogs/category/nongame-bird-blog/

Location: 6005 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE

Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center

If you’re looking for a place to escape into an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility, Lauritzen Gardens is the perfect place. This is where I go to relax, clear my mind and get that much needed alone time.

They have quite a few programs and classes, but I recommend the “Fabulous Florals: Glassy Design”. You get to use a variety of seasonal flowers to create a parfait delight for any spring table setting.  It's nice to stretch out and enjoy the beauty of nature before getting back to the nest for my turn warming the eggs.

Location: 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE

Zeus Gives Top 3 Reasons for Urban Living

While living in the wild has its advantages there’s a lot to be said for city life. Having lived at length in both environments, I’ve got to say city life, particularly in Omaha, is incredible! I’d like to share my thoughts with any peregrine falcons considering making the move.  

1. Urban Living is Convenient

It seems that the simplicity of living the wild lifestyle would be easier, but for many peregrine falcons that simple lifestyle is a lot more complicated than urban living. In the city, you’re just a quick flight away from anything you’d ever need!

2. Perfect Nesting

As city centers grow upward and outward an ideal framework is created for our peregrine falcon habitat. Window ledges provide roost and nest sites overlooking beautiful streetscapes with city parks that are full of hand-fed falcon-food in the form of pigeons. There’s always plenty of food for the wife and chicks.

3. Great Nightlife and Culture

Urban living provides a great selection of nightlife, restaurants and cultural venues. I’m not kidding; there are more restaurants within flying distance than could even be visited in a year. A few of my favorites venues include the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, the Century Link Center and my absolute favorite, TD Ameritrade Park (home to the NCAA Division I Men's College World Series).

Still not sure? Visit my website http://falcons.woodmen.org/ and watch our family LIVE from the 28^th floor of the Woodmen Tower on the FalconCam http://falcons.woodmen.org/falcon_cam.cfm. I guarantee once you see the great life I’m living, you’ll be moving to a city– but don’t get your hopes up on becoming as famous as I have. There’s only one peregrine falcon with a face beautiful enough for their own LIVE FalconCam in Omaha.

Hera Gives 6 Tips for New Peregrine Falcon Parents

If I could give just one warning for new parents it would be, the constant demands of caring for a baby can and will test your limits. However, you will never find yourself so full of love for another living creature.

 I’ve had 24 chicks and 5 are on the way. So you can believe me when I say it’s taken me 6 years to finally understand that you can’t forget to take care of yourself. Zeus and I have developed some tips over the last 6 years that have helped us, so we’d like to share them with you.

1. Take Care of Your Health

Now, I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but the health of a family depends on the health of the mother. Follow up on any conditions identified during pregnancy. You need to remember that it took you 33 days to incubate those eggs, so give yourself time to lose the extra weight!

2. Tag-Team to Get Some Sleep

Zeus and I used to make the mistake of both getting up with the chicks during the night. Trust me; it’s much better dividing the night into shifts.

3. Take Personal Time

Quality time away from your chick is just as important as quality with your chick. You need to nurture yourself so you’re not running on fumes. Here’s some of the things I do for quality time: Fly around the city, people watch, get lunch with a close friend, practice my 180mph dives…it can be anything that relaxes and centers you.

4. Accept Help

You will feel overwhelmed. Family should be encouraged to help and if you need to, consider paid help. With 5 chicks chirping around the nest, it’s not easy keeping the bones from feeding picked up.

5. Maintain a Social Life

Making plans with other falcon friends, particularly new parents who understand what you are going through, can prevent feelings of isolation and give you an emotional support system.

6. Spend time With Your Partner

Zeus and I would both tell you that this is key. We’ve had our share of struggles raising 24 chicks and we know that you have to fight to spend time together. Staying close to your partner is not only vital to your health and the future of your relationship; it is the very best thing you can give your chick!

"I count five. How about you, Zeus?"

"I count five also."

Window washer!!!!!

(And it's a good thing too. Those windows and the overhead camera lens were getting so dirty we could not see what was going on. I wonder if he gets paid double for that job?)

Do I hear something?!

Uh … you missed one.

My turn.

Hera, (silver band on right leg) patiently waits for Zeus to change places with her.

One. Two. Three. Four. FIVE EGGS!

That's what I'm talking about!