Kaya's falconer
@amiimschwabenland.bsky.social
I am a falconer, an immigrant (US in Germany), a mom to adult children and a Harris hawk, wife of a German, a teacher, reader, and hobby photographer.
This is Kaya (right) with her older half-sis, Hekate. Hekate's falconer has a gammy leg, so I'll be taking both hawks out for the next few weeks. We tried today with her falconer sitting in the back seat, but Hekate didn't seem to like the new plan. Raptors like change about as much as I do.
November 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
This is Kaya (right) with her older half-sis, Hekate. Hekate's falconer has a gammy leg, so I'll be taking both hawks out for the next few weeks. We tried today with her falconer sitting in the back seat, but Hekate didn't seem to like the new plan. Raptors like change about as much as I do.
I wanted to film Kaya's normal conversational squawking, and then she decided it was nap time. 😅😴
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I wanted to film Kaya's normal conversational squawking, and then she decided it was nap time. 😅😴
Kaya with her 34th crow of the season. She had to fly around a tree to get this one. Who's a good girl?
The 2nd pic shows her half-sis on the crow she got with a plane taking off from the Stuttgart airport in the distance.
The 2nd pic shows her half-sis on the crow she got with a plane taking off from the Stuttgart airport in the distance.
November 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Kaya with her 34th crow of the season. She had to fly around a tree to get this one. Who's a good girl?
The 2nd pic shows her half-sis on the crow she got with a plane taking off from the Stuttgart airport in the distance.
The 2nd pic shows her half-sis on the crow she got with a plane taking off from the Stuttgart airport in the distance.
Ah, so there's the explanation. Several products that are white are slightly marked down this week: Milk, flour, sugar, tissues, tea lights, and...Weißbier.
I admit it annoys me when English is used for things that just are not things. If it's such a good idea, then call it "weiße Woche."
I admit it annoys me when English is used for things that just are not things. If it's such a good idea, then call it "weiße Woche."
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Ah, so there's the explanation. Several products that are white are slightly marked down this week: Milk, flour, sugar, tissues, tea lights, and...Weißbier.
I admit it annoys me when English is used for things that just are not things. If it's such a good idea, then call it "weiße Woche."
I admit it annoys me when English is used for things that just are not things. If it's such a good idea, then call it "weiße Woche."
Wait. What?!?
I 🙄 about the use by marketing departments in Germany of "black week" as they try to capitalize on the US-American "black Friday," and now they've come up with "white week"?
🤦🏻♀️
I 🙄 about the use by marketing departments in Germany of "black week" as they try to capitalize on the US-American "black Friday," and now they've come up with "white week"?
🤦🏻♀️
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Wait. What?!?
I 🙄 about the use by marketing departments in Germany of "black week" as they try to capitalize on the US-American "black Friday," and now they've come up with "white week"?
🤦🏻♀️
I 🙄 about the use by marketing departments in Germany of "black week" as they try to capitalize on the US-American "black Friday," and now they've come up with "white week"?
🤦🏻♀️
A local florist, in an attempt to compete against online flower companies, has put up a vending machine that he stocks even on Sundays and holidays. I checked it out today and bought a little bouquet. 💐
I love supporting small local businesses! 🫶🏼
I love supporting small local businesses! 🫶🏼
November 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A local florist, in an attempt to compete against online flower companies, has put up a vending machine that he stocks even on Sundays and holidays. I checked it out today and bought a little bouquet. 💐
I love supporting small local businesses! 🫶🏼
I love supporting small local businesses! 🫶🏼
Last night we had Martinsgans and a delicious salad, and today Kaya got 2 crows. So I guess we all had poultry recently. 😅
November 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Last night we had Martinsgans and a delicious salad, and today Kaya got 2 crows. So I guess we all had poultry recently. 😅
And then there's _my_ American friend... 😂😂
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 AM
And then there's _my_ American friend... 😂😂
Sometimes the whole family gets involved to deal with the crow.
Kaya snatched this one out of the air, probably 2 feet high. My job is often pretty easy, but not this time and I had to call for backup. 🦅📯
Kaya snatched this one out of the air, probably 2 feet high. My job is often pretty easy, but not this time and I had to call for backup. 🦅📯
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Sometimes the whole family gets involved to deal with the crow.
Kaya snatched this one out of the air, probably 2 feet high. My job is often pretty easy, but not this time and I had to call for backup. 🦅📯
Kaya snatched this one out of the air, probably 2 feet high. My job is often pretty easy, but not this time and I had to call for backup. 🦅📯
Kaya got me two Geburtstagskrähen today! 📯🦅😊
Spending the day with my husband and our bird, and having a successful hunt besides - my favorite kind of day. 😁
Spending the day with my husband and our bird, and having a successful hunt besides - my favorite kind of day. 😁
November 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Kaya got me two Geburtstagskrähen today! 📯🦅😊
Spending the day with my husband and our bird, and having a successful hunt besides - my favorite kind of day. 😁
Spending the day with my husband and our bird, and having a successful hunt besides - my favorite kind of day. 😁
The functional hunting/hawking vest is vital. 😁 It doesn't need to be leather.
October 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The functional hunting/hawking vest is vital. 😁 It doesn't need to be leather.
A few yrs ago I transcribed the hand-written diary of a man who worked with Albert Schweitzer at his hospital in Lambarene, Gabun Africa in the 60s. I knew of Schweitzer but not much about him, and this was an incredible experience for me!
On Saturday we visited his home/museum in Königsfeld.
On Saturday we visited his home/museum in Königsfeld.
October 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A few yrs ago I transcribed the hand-written diary of a man who worked with Albert Schweitzer at his hospital in Lambarene, Gabun Africa in the 60s. I knew of Schweitzer but not much about him, and this was an incredible experience for me!
On Saturday we visited his home/museum in Königsfeld.
On Saturday we visited his home/museum in Königsfeld.
Out hawking again today with Kaya and her older (but smaller since male raptors are smaller than females) brother. Aik caught his crow but I had to navigate around 10 horses to assist his falconer.
Aik is terrified of horses and tried to crouch and hide behind his kill as they paraded by. 🥹
Aik is terrified of horses and tried to crouch and hide behind his kill as they paraded by. 🥹
October 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Out hawking again today with Kaya and her older (but smaller since male raptors are smaller than females) brother. Aik caught his crow but I had to navigate around 10 horses to assist his falconer.
Aik is terrified of horses and tried to crouch and hide behind his kill as they paraded by. 🥹
Aik is terrified of horses and tried to crouch and hide behind his kill as they paraded by. 🥹
We just had dinner at a classy restaurant in the Black Forest which features a 4- oder 6-Gänge Menü (we went with 4). Delicious! I didn't add the photo of the dessert.
As we left I saw a 100€ Schein lying on the ground outside in front of the door.
What would you have done?
As we left I saw a 100€ Schein lying on the ground outside in front of the door.
What would you have done?
October 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
We just had dinner at a classy restaurant in the Black Forest which features a 4- oder 6-Gänge Menü (we went with 4). Delicious! I didn't add the photo of the dessert.
As we left I saw a 100€ Schein lying on the ground outside in front of the door.
What would you have done?
As we left I saw a 100€ Schein lying on the ground outside in front of the door.
What would you have done?
Kaya nailed quite a prize this morning! A Nilgans, or Egyptian goose, that weighed a bit more than she did. These are Neozoen (invasive) and quickly overtaking native species. This is her 3rd Nilgans ever and 1st in 2 years. We dispatched it, let her enjoy her success, & quit for the day.
October 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Kaya nailed quite a prize this morning! A Nilgans, or Egyptian goose, that weighed a bit more than she did. These are Neozoen (invasive) and quickly overtaking native species. This is her 3rd Nilgans ever and 1st in 2 years. We dispatched it, let her enjoy her success, & quit for the day.
This is the Hirschgulasch from a few years ago when we were having fun with spoon servings.
We can't eat it until tomorrow because an Austrian relative insisted that Gulasch needs to be made one day and eaten the next - not on the same day! Who are we to argue with an Austrian about Gulasch?? 😅
We can't eat it until tomorrow because an Austrian relative insisted that Gulasch needs to be made one day and eaten the next - not on the same day! Who are we to argue with an Austrian about Gulasch?? 😅
October 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is the Hirschgulasch from a few years ago when we were having fun with spoon servings.
We can't eat it until tomorrow because an Austrian relative insisted that Gulasch needs to be made one day and eaten the next - not on the same day! Who are we to argue with an Austrian about Gulasch?? 😅
We can't eat it until tomorrow because an Austrian relative insisted that Gulasch needs to be made one day and eaten the next - not on the same day! Who are we to argue with an Austrian about Gulasch?? 😅
Adding a Swabian "Schluck" of wine... 😂
October 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Adding a Swabian "Schluck" of wine... 😂
Good lord, my husband is cooking Hirschgulasch for tomorrow's dinner, and I need a glass of wine to go with that aroma!! 🦌🍷
After the pictured step (simmering for 2 hours), he has to separate the meat from the veggies. We call that "Aschenbrödelarbeit." 😅
After the pictured step (simmering for 2 hours), he has to separate the meat from the veggies. We call that "Aschenbrödelarbeit." 😅
October 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Good lord, my husband is cooking Hirschgulasch for tomorrow's dinner, and I need a glass of wine to go with that aroma!! 🦌🍷
After the pictured step (simmering for 2 hours), he has to separate the meat from the veggies. We call that "Aschenbrödelarbeit." 😅
After the pictured step (simmering for 2 hours), he has to separate the meat from the veggies. We call that "Aschenbrödelarbeit." 😅
I posted a video of Kaya coughing up a pellet on my FB feed with a mild content warning, and an American non-falconer friend of mine told me to take it down because it's gross and no one wants to see that.
Americans and their aversion to bodily functions...😅😉🦅
Americans and their aversion to bodily functions...😅😉🦅
October 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I posted a video of Kaya coughing up a pellet on my FB feed with a mild content warning, and an American non-falconer friend of mine told me to take it down because it's gross and no one wants to see that.
Americans and their aversion to bodily functions...😅😉🦅
Americans and their aversion to bodily functions...😅😉🦅
Kaya gives me the side-eye while snarling, "Do not you DARE try to take this magpie from me. It's MINE!!"
When she did "trade," she unheaded the deceased magpie, keeping the head in her claws, so we let her have it and quit for the day. 😅
When she did "trade," she unheaded the deceased magpie, keeping the head in her claws, so we let her have it and quit for the day. 😅
October 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Kaya gives me the side-eye while snarling, "Do not you DARE try to take this magpie from me. It's MINE!!"
When she did "trade," she unheaded the deceased magpie, keeping the head in her claws, so we let her have it and quit for the day. 😅
When she did "trade," she unheaded the deceased magpie, keeping the head in her claws, so we let her have it and quit for the day. 😅
I'm seeing so little that isn't politics here. I love the German/English community I've found, and I appreciate being kept informed although it's exhausting.
I'll keep posting about Kaya for those who are interested and want something other than politics. She was successful again today.
I'll keep posting about Kaya for those who are interested and want something other than politics. She was successful again today.
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I'm seeing so little that isn't politics here. I love the German/English community I've found, and I appreciate being kept informed although it's exhausting.
I'll keep posting about Kaya for those who are interested and want something other than politics. She was successful again today.
I'll keep posting about Kaya for those who are interested and want something other than politics. She was successful again today.
Teamwork. We falconers find the quarry (though often Kaya spots one we missed), I let Kaya go, if the odds are in her favor she gets it in her talons, and then she hangs on, tries to avoid the crow's beak, and waits for me. I dash to her, dispatch the crow quickly and give Kaya a reward.
October 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Teamwork. We falconers find the quarry (though often Kaya spots one we missed), I let Kaya go, if the odds are in her favor she gets it in her talons, and then she hangs on, tries to avoid the crow's beak, and waits for me. I dash to her, dispatch the crow quickly and give Kaya a reward.
"My towel!! Mineminemine!"
I had hidden a thawed mouse under the towel, which she already found. She likes to keep the towel for a bit while she makes sure she didn't miss a second treat.
I had hidden a thawed mouse under the towel, which she already found. She likes to keep the towel for a bit while she makes sure she didn't miss a second treat.
October 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
"My towel!! Mineminemine!"
I had hidden a thawed mouse under the towel, which she already found. She likes to keep the towel for a bit while she makes sure she didn't miss a second treat.
I had hidden a thawed mouse under the towel, which she already found. She likes to keep the towel for a bit while she makes sure she didn't miss a second treat.
Friends from the Homeland, whom I haven't seen since 2018, are on a Rhein cruise and docking today in Breisach, where some family members live. So we're driving there to meet up with friends and then family!
October 3, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Friends from the Homeland, whom I haven't seen since 2018, are on a Rhein cruise and docking today in Breisach, where some family members live. So we're driving there to meet up with friends and then family!
This word search was disappointing.
1. I didn't come here for English. 😅
2. It took me longer than German word searches.
3. If the theme is English/American breakfast items, there's a problem here.
Can you spot the cultural glitch? What item doesn't belong? 🙂
1. I didn't come here for English. 😅
2. It took me longer than German word searches.
3. If the theme is English/American breakfast items, there's a problem here.
Can you spot the cultural glitch? What item doesn't belong? 🙂
October 2, 2025 at 7:00 AM
This word search was disappointing.
1. I didn't come here for English. 😅
2. It took me longer than German word searches.
3. If the theme is English/American breakfast items, there's a problem here.
Can you spot the cultural glitch? What item doesn't belong? 🙂
1. I didn't come here for English. 😅
2. It took me longer than German word searches.
3. If the theme is English/American breakfast items, there's a problem here.
Can you spot the cultural glitch? What item doesn't belong? 🙂