Although this is already old news, I just came across a newspaper article discussing the death of Mae, the first known peregrine falcon to nest at a power plant. Claiming a nest box as a young bird fifteen years ago, she raised 37 falcons in a small wood box overlooking the St. Croix River at the Xcel Energy Company about twenty miles east of Saint Paul, Minnesota. A "bird cam" was installed in 1997 and during the first year generated more than 800,000 hits, thus allowing Mae to become an Internet star through the Web cam that allowed thousands to watch her well-respected mothering skills.

As this year's Mothers' Day approaches I feel Mae should be remembered for her exemplary mothering skills. For some great archived photos of Mae and her offspring, Smoke and Prescott, click on the following link.

Peregrin Falcon Slideshow