Introducing Sophie

Because I go to a UC, I am on the quarter system rather than the semester system. This means that I go through 3 sets of classes over the course a typical year (Fall, Winter, and spring). I am majoring in Ecology and Evolution.

Over the next 10 weeks I will be taking Exercise Physiology + lab, Invertebrate Zoology + lab, and The Peregrine Falcon's Return.

Peregrine Falcon's return is a class that is all about peregrine falcons, no surprise there. Not only will I learn everything there is to know about these birds but this class is also an exploration of the successful case study that led to their return to adequate numbers and saved them from disappearing from the west coast.

During our first day in class, we were introduced to my professor's falcon named Sophie. He raised her from a hatchling right on his dining room table and the bond they have is really outstanding. When she was about 5 years old, she began to view him as a mate.
And these are words taken right out of his mouth:

 "You all can go home tonight and tell all of your friends that my professor has sex with his bird!" 

Every year, the two go through a whole courtship ritual and he inseminates her with samples collected from other males. She raises her babies every spring and they go on to help in peregrine falcon conservation efforts.

Not only is being in this class really interesting but I get to simultaneously hang out with a raptor.