Wings for My Flight: The Peregrine Falcons of Chimney Rock

by Houle Marcy Cottrell, Pyle Robert Michael (Foreword)

In this inspiring book, young wildlife biologist Marcy Cottrell Houle spends a summer perched on a high rock in Colorado's southwest desert. With no phone or running water, she and her research parmer immerse themselves in the study of a pair of endangered peregrine falcons that return to their ancestral nesting site on Chimney Rock. Coming to know these birds intimately while sharing their home, Houle develops an abiding devotion to them. She observes their breathtaking flight, their indomitable character, and their urgent will to survive. Before me a peregrine falcon emerged from the cliff with a fierce beauty; with utmost ease and perfect control it spun in a dizzying dive to the earth. Talons outstretched, it lightly grazed the object of its attention -- a trespassing prairie falcon who had slipped across the peregrine's invisible territorial line.... Its flight was a gust of pure energy. While conducting her research, Houle learns that Chimney Rock is the site of an Anasazi ruin slated for commercial development. She meets the unexpected resistance and hostility of townspeople who resent the obstacle the endangered birds pose to potential tourist dollars. Houle uncovers the depth and complexity of the issue that leads this community -- and so many others like it in today's growing world -- to an angry impasse. With compassion, insight, and fairness, Houle explores the dilemma between environmentalists and developers, both of whom value the land, but in different ways. Wings for My Flight is the story of one biologist who, through the help of another species, comes to a greater understanding of her own. As a Colorado press, Pruett Publishing is proud to reissue thisaward-winning book that addresses issues vital to Coloradans and Westerners.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Conservation

187 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book, but crammed with adventure, beauty, sadness, danger and descriptions of a very engaging family of peregrine falcons. Sometimes books of this type are a bit dry, the Marcy Cottrell Houle is quite a talented writer. This read like a suspense novel; I couldn't put it down.

[Treyton Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very frustrating firsthand account of what wildlife biology field work looked like half a century ago, but with a surprising amount of hope offered as well. With many personal connections to this story, I thought it would resonate with me. What I didn’t expect was the horrific levels of mistreatment, sexism, and near-assault on the young field technicians. I’d like to believe that both the sexism within the STEM field and carelessness over natural ecosystems and native wildlife have improved, but we’ve got a long way to go.

Hoyle wraps up her whole experience, however awful, more hopeful and optimistic than I would expect someone in her position to be capable of.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inside look at a research scientist's work monitoring peregrine falcons in the 70s. The study of an endangered species interwoven with story, intrigue, and scientific fact. What it's like to hold to personal conviction, scientific study, and love of birds in a community of people who have been living in an area for decades. The community was given the promise of what tourism development might bring. Why would they listen to a young "bird-girl" outsider?

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly dated but very enjoyable. Great descriptions, fast-paced, with lots of basics woven in.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful awakening story of a wonderful species. Environmentalists would be proud.