The chicks received their bands this morning, and have also been named.
From Laura James-Reim's blog:
Today, we met offspring numbers 55, 56, 57 & 58 of Kinney. Can I say for the umpteenth time, now that's remarkable!!! Healthy young ones all - they are a good-looking crew of four that I know will keep us volunteers busy in just a couple of weeks.
This year, we have 2 females and 2 males - and let me tell the first one of the bucket was a LARGE female.
Here are the names of the 2010 class. I think the names represent a storied past, present successes and a hopeful future.
Geneva - Female, band is 14/E, black over red. This name was submitted by Lynn Berney from Goshen IN. I know Lynn to be a long-time falconhead and passionate about Kinney and KathyQ. Who is this bird named after? Gosh, just one of the most famous Hoosier authors ever who happened to be a woman. Yes, this glorious bird is named after Geneva (known as Gene) Stratton-Porter, a woman way ahead of her time, an author at her prime in the early part of the 20th century. She wrote wonderfully descriptive books about her love of nature and a particular swamp in NE Indiana, called the Limberlost which she came to know and love intimately - snakes, bugs, plants, trees, birds, wildlife - she loved it all. She had millions of fans all over the world and wrote books such as The Girl of the Limberlost (highly recommend it if you haven't read it) and Freckles, among others. I believe Gene would be honored to have such a magnificent bird of prey named after her. Make history little Geneva like your famous namesake - you already have the admiration of folks worldwide.
Hatton - Male, *V/*B, black over red (the * indicates the letters lay on the side as you look at the band). This name was submitted by Joyce Swoveland of Terre Haute IN, another longtime falconhead. So thrilled to be able to say this little male is named after Liz and Chris Hatton who operate For the Birds of Indiana. They are bird rehabilitators extraordinaire. Anyone who followed the blog in 2008 may remember the saga of one of the juveniles named Magee. The Hattons took him in to begin his path to healing as they so willingly do for hundreds - gosh, probably thousands - of birds of all shape, sizes, colors, and ages. I was lucky enough to visit the Hattons hospital (really their house) when Magee was a resident and it is an amazing field hospital for injured winged friends. Here's the kicker - they don't fundraise and they do it all voluntarily. This is a labor of true love and if you have a chance to talk with Liz and/or Chris, you can immediately feel this. So little Hatton, don't you even dare think of making a visit to your namesakes place - unless you just want to pass over and say hi/bye on your way to a wonderful falcon life.
