WEBVTT 00:02.133 --> 00:03.833 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - [Hesper] Today's our Freedom Day. 00:03.833 --> 00:04.766 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% He's ready. 00:04.766 --> 00:06.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% You know, I have to tell myself 00:06.133 --> 00:09.266 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% that he's a fully functional adult, wild bird. 00:09.266 --> 00:13.300 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Goats, horses, dogs, cats, chickens. 00:13.300 --> 00:14.933 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Humans have been forming relationships 00:14.933 --> 00:17.566 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% with animals for thousands of years, domesticating them 00:17.566 --> 00:20.800 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% for food, transportation, hunting, even companionship. 00:20.800 --> 00:22.733 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% But these bonds are often the result 00:22.733 --> 00:25.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% of generations of taming and breeding wild animals 00:25.433 --> 00:27.466 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% primarily for our benefit. 00:27.466 --> 00:29.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But there is an ancient sport that's still 00:29.433 --> 00:32.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% being practiced today, which breaks this mold. 00:32.133 --> 00:34.266 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% If you look it up, falconry is defined 00:34.266 --> 00:36.566 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% as the traditional art of keeping training 00:36.566 --> 00:39.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and flying birds of prey to hunt wild quarry. 00:39.566 --> 00:42.600 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% But the sport goes beyond the hunt. For many practitioners 00:42.600 --> 00:45.100 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% falconry is also about protecting the birds 00:45.100 --> 00:47.933 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and forming a surprisingly intimate bond with them. 00:53.733 --> 00:54.933 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% - There we go. 00:54.933 --> 00:57.433 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% He's actually not much of a morning bird. 00:57.433 --> 00:58.666 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5% Step up. 00:58.666 --> 01:00.700 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - Falconry is kind of an ultimate 01:00.700 --> 01:02.700 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% human wildlife interaction. 01:02.700 --> 01:06.300 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% I got to test this a little bit several years ago 01:06.300 --> 01:10.000 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% when a falconer let me pose with an owl and an eagle 01:10.000 --> 01:12.500 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% but I had no idea what I was doing 01:12.500 --> 01:14.133 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% or what really was going on. 01:14.133 --> 01:15.966 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% That's very different from my guest. 01:15.966 --> 01:19.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Meet Hesper Lana Fang, she's been a birder for several years 01:19.833 --> 01:22.200 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and she even has a pet parrot named Ruby. 01:22.200 --> 01:24.866 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% But during the pandemic, she decided to take her love 01:24.866 --> 01:26.800 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% of birds to a whole new level. 01:29.500 --> 01:30.666 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% - All right here he is. 01:32.066 --> 01:32.900 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% - Whoa. 01:32.900 --> 01:34.133 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% - He's little Goji. 01:34.133 --> 01:36.566 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - Oh my gosh, he's so small. 01:36.566 --> 01:37.666 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% (Hesper chuckling) 01:37.666 --> 01:40.666 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% What a beautiful bird. 01:40.666 --> 01:43.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - Yeah. Not all raptors are this colorful. 01:43.033 --> 01:46.966 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - Despite the name, falconry isn't just for falcons. 01:46.966 --> 01:50.233 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% A lot of different birds of prey or raptors can be used. 01:50.233 --> 01:52.466 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% Merlins, hawks, even owls. 01:52.466 --> 01:54.666 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Hesper works with an American kestrel 01:54.666 --> 01:57.366 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% the smallest falcon species in North America. 01:57.366 --> 01:59.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - He's actually a really personable little bird 01:59.700 --> 02:02.800 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% which is atypical for most raptors. 02:02.800 --> 02:06.700 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% In the falconry world, we call kestrels murder-keets. 02:06.700 --> 02:08.100 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% - He's a murder 02:08.100 --> 02:11.100 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that's a stone cold killer that you're holding. 02:11.100 --> 02:13.366 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - Because they're so small and cute. 02:13.366 --> 02:15.233 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% But Goji hunts starlings. 02:15.233 --> 02:18.266 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% So to see a kestrel be willing to take 02:18.266 --> 02:21.933 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% down a starling because he's confident in you, the falconer 02:21.933 --> 02:24.233 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that you are going to be there to help him 02:24.233 --> 02:25.566 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% it's a really special thing. 02:25.566 --> 02:27.800 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - Yeah. And so you've gotta be reliable too. 02:27.800 --> 02:32.066 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% How do you establish and grow that trust between you and 02:32.066 --> 02:33.266 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5% Goji? 02:33.266 --> 02:35.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - What a falconer does is give the bird 02:35.033 --> 02:37.400 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% chances to catch prey. 02:37.400 --> 02:38.600 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% You train them to come 02:38.600 --> 02:40.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to you when you whistle for a tidbit of food. 02:40.866 --> 02:43.600 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% And those tidbits are really how you win them over. 02:43.600 --> 02:45.133 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - As soon as they know that 02:45.133 --> 02:47.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% then they're free flying from that moment on. 02:47.433 --> 02:49.900 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - They say that when your bird catches their first game 02:49.900 --> 02:52.300 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that's when you become a falconer. 02:52.300 --> 02:53.933 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% It was a slow start for us. 02:53.933 --> 02:57.100 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% I was this close to just calling it quits 02:57.100 --> 02:58.733 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% but one day, something clicked 02:58.733 --> 03:00.766 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and he dove down and he caught the bird. 03:00.766 --> 03:03.800 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% And it was total utter disbelief. 03:03.800 --> 03:05.100 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% Everything just came together 03:05.100 --> 03:07.866 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% into this one perfect moment where the bird 03:07.866 --> 03:11.633 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% understood what the purpose of our relationship was. 03:11.633 --> 03:13.966 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% I would've loved for it to have happened on 03:13.966 --> 03:17.166 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% on top of a beautiful mountain surrounded by blue sky. 03:17.166 --> 03:20.166 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% But as it happened, it was in a Taco Bell parking lot. 03:20.166 --> 03:22.300 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65% - No, no, it wasn't. 03:22.300 --> 03:23.533 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55% - It was. 03:23.533 --> 03:27.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But that day I was like, "Yeah, I'm a falconer. 03:27.266 --> 03:28.766 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5% I did it." 03:28.766 --> 03:31.133 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - But the relationship between Hesper and Goji, her falcon 03:31.133 --> 03:35.200 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% it's not one of owner and pet. Raptors are wild animals. 03:35.200 --> 03:37.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% A falconer's bird is trained to see its relationship 03:37.433 --> 03:39.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% with the human as a partnership. 03:39.200 --> 03:41.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - That's one of the sweet things I think about falconry, is 03:41.633 --> 03:45.966 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% that it's one of the few, maybe the only relationship 03:45.966 --> 03:47.966 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that you can have with a wild animal. 03:47.966 --> 03:51.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% While the animal always has agency to leave if they want to 03:51.000 --> 03:53.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% cuz they're flying free and they only come back 03:53.466 --> 03:57.766 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% if they view you as worthy of their partnership. 03:57.766 --> 03:59.633 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% But there's also a certain loyalty there. 03:59.633 --> 04:02.200 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Goji will come to me from any distance 04:02.200 --> 04:04.700 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% whenever I call him. He follows me from tree to tree. 04:04.700 --> 04:06.833 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% He waits for me, he looks for me. 04:06.833 --> 04:09.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - And how long does this relationship last? 04:09.333 --> 04:12.066 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - It really lasts for as long 04:12.066 --> 04:15.200 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% as you want it to or as long as the bird wants to. 04:15.200 --> 04:18.700 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - So you both have like a mutual opt out clause? 04:18.700 --> 04:19.700 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% - Yeah, yeah. 04:19.700 --> 04:21.900 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% You can think of it that way. 04:21.900 --> 04:23.200 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% - Lots of animals. 04:23.200 --> 04:24.533 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% We have partnerships with other species. 04:24.533 --> 04:26.900 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% They're called mutualistic relationships. 04:26.900 --> 04:30.000 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% This means they work together for the benefit of both. 04:30.000 --> 04:31.433 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% And from the beginning 04:31.433 --> 04:33.733 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% falconry has been about the mutualistic relationship 04:33.733 --> 04:35.566 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% between the falconer and the bird. 04:36.533 --> 04:38.033 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - One of the world's oldest 04:38.033 --> 04:40.700 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and noblest forms of hunting still survives, Falconry. 04:42.100 --> 04:45.033 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - The origins of falconry aren't entirely clear. 04:45.033 --> 04:46.533 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% We know for sure 04:46.533 --> 04:48.533 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75% that it's been practiced for at least 4,000 years. 04:48.533 --> 04:50.533 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5% Some scholars think it's even longer 04:50.533 --> 04:52.100 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5% maybe 10,000 years or more. 04:52.100 --> 04:56.200 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Falconry predates written human record. 04:56.200 --> 04:58.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The general consensus is that it either started 04:58.900 --> 05:03.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% in Central Asia or in the Middle East, and both 05:03.433 --> 05:06.500 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% of those cultures back then were not record keepers. 05:06.500 --> 05:07.733 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - The earliest real evidence 05:07.733 --> 05:10.233 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% of falconry comes from what's now Syria. 05:10.233 --> 05:11.633 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% But cultures from all 05:11.633 --> 05:14.333 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% over the world practice various forms. Take Mongolia. 05:14.333 --> 05:15.900 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% For thousands of years they've hunted 05:15.900 --> 05:19.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% on horseback with golden eagles and before guns 05:19.066 --> 05:20.400 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% birds were the hunting tool. 05:20.400 --> 05:21.600 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% They were given protection 05:21.600 --> 05:24.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% by the falconer who also helped flush out prey. 05:24.100 --> 05:27.600 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% In turn, the human shared the fresh meat caught by the bird. 05:27.600 --> 05:29.733 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% As the practice spread along the silk road 05:29.733 --> 05:31.766 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% it became an important diplomatic tool. 05:31.766 --> 05:33.233 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% Birds were given as gifts 05:33.233 --> 05:35.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and techniques were shared along with them. 05:35.066 --> 05:37.300 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - Each culture does have little things here and there 05:37.300 --> 05:38.800 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% but the practice 05:38.800 --> 05:41.433 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% of falconry has not changed very much in that whole time. 05:41.433 --> 05:42.633 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - Do you ever think about it 05:42.633 --> 05:45.100 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% in those terms of like the ancientness 05:45.100 --> 05:47.466 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and the historical ties that you're participating in? 05:47.466 --> 05:48.933 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% - I like to think 05:48.933 --> 05:51.500 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% that I might not be the first falconer in my ancestry. 05:51.500 --> 05:53.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Somewhere down the line, somebody was a part 05:53.666 --> 05:57.333 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% of ancient Chinese falconry living their life. 05:57.333 --> 05:58.833 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% - As for the United States 05:58.833 --> 06:01.700 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5% the first falconer came to the new world with Columbus 06:01.700 --> 06:03.366 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65% but the sport didn't become widespread 06:03.366 --> 06:05.400 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% until the 20th century. 06:05.400 --> 06:07.466 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Here, it's a very regulated process. 06:07.466 --> 06:10.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% From the first time that you Google how to become a falconer 06:10.133 --> 06:13.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to getting your license, it can take years. 06:13.666 --> 06:15.900 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - You see, falconry isn't just a free for all. 06:15.900 --> 06:18.666 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% There are federal and state laws governing the sport 06:18.666 --> 06:21.166 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and what those are depend on where you live. 06:21.166 --> 06:23.333 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Here in Texas, you need to pass an exam. 06:23.333 --> 06:27.033 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% And then the most important part of it is that you need to 06:27.033 --> 06:28.533 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% find a sponsor 06:28.533 --> 06:30.333 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% somebody willing to take you under their wing, so to speak. 06:30.333 --> 06:32.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - Ah, I see what you did there. 06:32.200 --> 06:33.500 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% (Host and Hesper laughing) 06:33.500 --> 06:35.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - And the apprenticeship lasts two years 06:35.900 --> 06:38.866 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - After the apprenticeship, you become a general falconer. 06:38.866 --> 06:41.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% - I just, just upgraded. 06:41.033 --> 06:43.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I'm a brand new general falconer 06:43.366 --> 06:46.166 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% you are able to fly a wider variety 06:46.166 --> 06:50.000 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% of species and without the supervision of your sponsor. 06:50.000 --> 06:51.233 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5% - Wow. 06:51.233 --> 06:52.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - And then when you've been a general falconer 06:52.633 --> 06:54.133 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% for five years 06:54.133 --> 06:58.000 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% you are eligible to upgrade to be called a master falconer 06:58.000 --> 07:00.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and that's kind of the top tier. 07:00.133 --> 07:01.900 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - So at a minimum, it sounds 07:01.900 --> 07:04.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% like seven years, feels like more than a hobby. 07:04.933 --> 07:07.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - I think most falconers will tell you 07:07.233 --> 07:09.300 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% that it's a lifestyle. 07:09.300 --> 07:12.400 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - No matter the differences in how falconry is practiced 07:12.400 --> 07:14.900 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% or the role that it plays in a particular society. 07:14.900 --> 07:16.233 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% One thing is clear. 07:16.233 --> 07:18.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% These birds are highly revered. 07:18.733 --> 07:21.566 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% Many falconers still see themselves as conservationists 07:21.566 --> 07:23.233 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and believe that they have a role to play 07:23.233 --> 07:25.900 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% in educating the public and protecting the birds. 07:25.900 --> 07:28.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - The United States government, they keep very close tabs 07:28.966 --> 07:29.900 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5% on them. 07:29.900 --> 07:31.200 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% So every bird that you take 07:31.200 --> 07:32.866 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% from the wild needs to be in a registry 07:32.866 --> 07:35.400 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - In the US, falconers either obtain their birds 07:35.400 --> 07:38.700 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% through captive breeding programs or by trapping wild birds. 07:38.700 --> 07:41.466 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% So tell me about how you and Goji met. 07:41.466 --> 07:43.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - He was trapped from the wild. 07:43.300 --> 07:44.566 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% - Okay. 07:44.566 --> 07:45.366 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - When you are an apprentice falconer 07:45.366 --> 07:46.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% you have to trap a bird 07:46.800 --> 07:49.400 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% from the wild and they have to be first year birds. 07:49.400 --> 07:50.633 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - That's because the goal 07:50.633 --> 07:52.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% of falconry is not to keep these birds as pets 07:52.966 --> 07:55.400 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% but eventually to release them back into the wild. 07:55.400 --> 07:57.966 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - So Goji, I've had him for two years. 07:57.966 --> 08:01.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% He was my first falconry bird and my only one 08:01.033 --> 08:03.700 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and I'm actually planning on releasing him in a few weeks. 08:03.700 --> 08:05.100 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% - Whoa. 08:05.100 --> 08:06.200 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% - Yeah. 08:06.200 --> 08:07.300 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - How does that make you feel? 08:07.300 --> 08:08.533 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% - Mixed feelings. 08:08.533 --> 08:09.800 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% (Hesper laughing) 08:09.800 --> 08:11.300 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% This bird comes into your life 08:11.300 --> 08:13.466 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and you just fall totally in love with this little bird. 08:13.466 --> 08:15.800 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% But at the same time, he'll have a wildlife 08:15.800 --> 08:18.266 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and he'll have a chance to go out there 08:18.266 --> 08:22.100 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and contribute to the breeding population of kestrels. 08:22.100 --> 08:24.466 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Many wild raptors live difficult lives. 08:24.466 --> 08:27.700 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Roughly 60% of falcons die in their first year. 08:27.700 --> 08:29.933 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% But falconers like Hesper give these young birds 08:29.933 --> 08:32.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% a chance to learn to hunt and hone their skills 08:32.433 --> 08:34.133 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% without the threat of starvation. 08:34.133 --> 08:35.933 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - We're able to take those young birds 08:35.933 --> 08:40.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and provide guaranteed food and healthcare and protect them 08:40.333 --> 08:43.433 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% from predators so that by the time we release them, it's 08:43.433 --> 08:47.300 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% like releasing a fit Olympic athlete back into the wild. 08:47.300 --> 08:49.100 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% And they're just set. 08:49.100 --> 08:51.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Humans benefit from their relationship with the birds too. 08:51.866 --> 08:54.300 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Raptors are often deployed on farmlands 08:54.300 --> 08:57.533 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% coastal areas and in cities to chase away nuisance animals. 08:57.533 --> 09:00.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Several airports are also using falcons to clear their skies 09:00.300 --> 09:03.200 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% from bird strikes and on an individual level 09:03.200 --> 09:07.166 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% falconry offers people a closer connection to nature. 09:07.166 --> 09:09.333 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - When you're a falconer, by the very nature of it 09:09.333 --> 09:12.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% you're changing the life of your bird. 09:12.033 --> 09:15.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It's like an invitation to go out there 09:15.200 --> 09:17.200 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and interact with the scenery 09:17.200 --> 09:19.766 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - Which isn't scenery if we're active in it. 09:19.766 --> 09:22.400 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Right? It becomes kind of our our home. 09:22.400 --> 09:24.166 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - Yeah. It's the world we were born into. 09:24.166 --> 09:25.066 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% - Yeah. 09:25.066 --> 09:26.200 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - And the world we live in. 09:27.900 --> 09:30.100 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% - How has your relationship 09:30.100 --> 09:33.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with Goji changed your relationship with the outdoors? 09:33.200 --> 09:36.933 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% - There's this culture of just observe, don't disturb it. 09:36.933 --> 09:38.933 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% And I think there's a beauty to that too 09:38.933 --> 09:40.833 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% but having this relationship 09:40.833 --> 09:43.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% there's a sense of connection and belonging 09:43.400 --> 09:45.666 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and I think that's something that we've kind of lost 09:45.666 --> 09:47.166 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% over the years 09:47.166 --> 09:51.333 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and it's really healing to get a little piece of that back. 09:51.333 --> 09:53.666 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - The idea that we could be assistive 09:53.666 --> 09:58.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and not just dominant or abusive or extractive. 09:58.400 --> 09:59.666 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% There's a subtlety 09:59.666 --> 10:02.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to that shift that makes it less hierarchical. 10:02.666 --> 10:04.333 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% It's a partnership. 10:04.333 --> 10:06.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And these birds need us and they get something 10:06.433 --> 10:08.866 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% from us and we need them and we get something from them. 10:08.866 --> 10:11.766 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% That feels like a profound revelation 10:11.766 --> 10:14.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% in terms of our place in the world. 10:19.566 --> 10:21.200 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% - I'm mainly just grateful 10:21.200 --> 10:22.833 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% for the time that we've had together 10:22.833 --> 10:25.066 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% and for how forgiving he was 10:25.066 --> 10:29.033 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% of my mistakes and how he's rewarded my best efforts. 10:29.033 --> 10:30.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% He was a really good first bird. 10:32.566 --> 10:33.933 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% Hope to see you again. 10:45.433 --> 10:47.766 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Oh, there he is. 10:50.166 --> 10:55.100 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% There he goes. 10:56.333 --> 10:58.000 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% This is a, this is a happy moment. 11:00.766 --> 11:03.500 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (Hesper sighing)