Impression Evergreen

American Kestrel The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most widespread falcon. This pocket-sized bird of prey is extremely adaptable as she can be found anywhere in the Western Hemisphere from Alaska to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The most colorful of all the raptors, she is distinguished by brown wings as opposed to the male’s beautiful slate blue. Perceiving her identity is practically unmistakable while she’s perched on a small pine scanning the grassland for her favorite food; grasshoppers. She owes much of her success to a broad diet that includes almost any insect, lizards, snakes, mice and voles. She’s a ferocious predator that has the ability to take red squirrels and small birds especially sparrows while still on the wing. She’s the fearless matriarch of a tight-knit group as both parents are equally active in rearing the young. Often, the whole family will go out on a hunting foray as it’s an effective way to teach the fledglings how to s...

"Sharp-shinned Hawk" Colored Pencil Perched patiently on a rusty fence, a sharp-shinned hawk has appeared in a flash. It’s winter in western Nebraska and a flock of sparrows has congregated in the farmyard, feeding on chicken scratch and corn. Relying on stealth and camouflage, the sharpy prefers ambush to capture its prey. Decorated with a gold-leaf pattern, the pale chest is cloaked by dark wings that are detailed with the suggestion of broad feathers. The raptor’s noble head is a remarkable profile distinguished by streaked spear tips and bright yellow eyes. Just a juvenile, this bird of prey is a natural born hunter that’s still trying to find its place in the forest habitat. The unsuspecting sparrows are easy pickings for this woodland warrior. While living on earth can be a struggle for most of us, it’s not so for the sharp-shin. This confident creature seems to have the world by the tail.

"Bald Eagles" Colored Pencil High above a big, blue reservoir, snow-covered peaks form an impressive backdrop as a pair of bald eagles secure their lofty roost. The fish-filled lake will provide the birds of prey with plenty of food for an entire winter. Always around water, the white-headed raptor is an opportunistic angler. Though an apex predator, it's versatile enough to procure a meal by any means necessary, including hunting, scavenging or outright thievery. Native to North America, the bald eagle is the undisputed emblem of the United States. Pesticides and hunting by paranoid ranchers almost exterminated our national bird but with proper protection, it has recovered and is prospering across the union. A powerful patriot, the high-flying eagle is a symbol of everlasting liberty. We watch enviously as the wide-winged warrior soars freely through spacious skies above, while us downtrodden dreamers remain confined to the earth below.

Common Sense Horsemanship "A horse is a thing of beauty... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor." ~ Xenophon circa 360 BC Clinicians Bern and Kay Miller are traversing the panhandle of Nebraska sharing a common sense approach to horse care with all who will listen. Their well-received demonstrations about Warrior Horsemanship are a fascinating blend of art, history and natural horsemanship. A reconnection with nature is the most important aspect of their philosophy and the principles discussed apply not only to the equine but also humanity. "The natural horse clinicians, they're all into working with horses in a natural kind of way: bitless riding, bridleless riding, a lot of ground work, liberty work - where you put the horse at liberty without a rope on him. They believe we need to get back into natural principles." ~ Bern Miller A central theme running through the movement is the assertion that teaching th...