Saturday, August 3, 2013

Birds of a Feather

Today is for the birds - real and imagined.

This month was the announcement of the annual Coveted Dead Bird Contest winner (short story of mystery or suspense of ten pages or less) at our local chapter of Sisters in Crime. As usual, we had a fun time with the trophies. 

Far from being standard, the Bird Boss who runs the contest each year is encouraged to be creative in developing the trophy (the winner of last year’s contest was Bird Boss this year). It is all tongue in cheek fun.

*(No birds were harmed in the making of these fake trophies)

This year’s theme was Water Rights and Wrongs and so water played a key role in the trophies as well.

The Baby Bird Award (for a new writer entering our contest for the first time who excels and deserves to be recognized):








And, the major trophy this year, The Coveted Dead Bird? A buzzard—an interesting play on the black bird theme which is our tradition.











It was a fun meeting, but to top it, we had a falconer, Cat Krosschell of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, come with the real thing - four raptors that she cares for. 

I must say she shared information about raptors that was not only interesting but downright fascinating. The birds were amazing up close.



She brought a peregrine falcon: (we learned that the Air Force has designed a plane based on this bird's wings) They can go 200 miles an hour straight down from a height as high as 10,000 feet. 


And a red-tailed hawk (chicken hawk):

He got a little feisty while his handler was speaking.
And two Great Horned Owls:






















A very interesting writer's meeting, with lots of people taking notes so we expect some unusual stories next year for the contest.

What did you do with your Saturday?







9 comments:

Billie Johnson said...

Since this was my first meeting with the SJV Sisters, I have to say they have set the bar pretty high...what is on store for the Sep meeting...elephant rides? Could be good!

Billie Johnson
Oak Tree Press

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Sounds like a great meeting! Sorry to miss it. Instead, I was in Nipomo with my books--and also saw several Central Coast Sisters in Crime members.

Cora said...

Now that's a thought! I think next month is an author.

Cora said...

Some of the Central Coast Sisters were also at our meeting--winners among them.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cora -
I really am sorry I missed the meeting. Talked with Terrell on the phone last night and she filled me in. Dang! It sounds like one of the best meetings of the year. Thanks for providing the pictures ad commentary.
JoAnne

Unknown said...

Nice wrap-up of a very interesting meeting!
Kris

Cora said...

Glad you could catch a glimpse of Sat. through my blog. It was a good meeting. Hope to see you WED.

Cora said...

Thanks Kris.

elizabethfais said...

I volunteered at a local Wildlife Rescue chapter, and find birds fascinating. What fun to see so many different species!