Falcon Finale by Jan Dunlap

Author:Jan Dunlap [Dunlap, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective, White; Bob (Fictitious Character), Fiction, Birding, Bird Watching, General, Minnesota, Birds
ISBN: 9780878394869
Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.
Published: 2011-08-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The Ridge was a lot more than a ridge.

As Luce and I approached the entrance to the preserve, the land around us changed from a relatively flat plateau to thick pine forests on rolling foothills. Though it didn’t feature the dramatically deep gorge of the nearby national monument, the Ridge was dotted with limestone ledges and alcoves above its own small portion of the same Walnut Creek that had carved Walnut Canyon’s breathtaking vistas. As a public preserve, the Ridge offered visitors a great spot to enjoy the natural charms of this part of Arizona’s varied geographical zones; as a wildlife preserve, it was a birder’s paradise that hosted several habitats in one spot. Even as I stepped out of the car, I could hear Canyon Wrens whistling and a Wild Turkey calling.

“Looks like we’re the first ones here,” Luce observed from the other side of the car. “This place is really something, isn’t it? I can’t think of anywhere else we’d find Canyon Wrens mixing with turkeys.”

“It’s all the different elevations,” I pointed out. “The Ridge has canyon walls, plateau, pines, lots of vegetation, and water. It’s almost like those charts you see in tourist centers or school books listing the different species of wildlife you find at different elevations, except instead of being spread out over a whole state like in Minnesota, they’re all right here in one preserve.”

The sound of an engine interrupted the chorus of the birds, and both Luce and I turned towards the SUV that had pulled into the graveled parking lot. A moment later, Bill Warner was lifting Khan’s cage from the back of his vehicle.

“I couldn’t resist bringing Kahn along,” Warner explained. “It’s much too nice a day to have to stay cooped up when we’ve got this whole preserve to play in. ’Course, every day is too nice a day to stay cooped up in northern Arizona. Glad you could make it, Bob, Luce.” He set Khan’s cage on the ground.

“Gil should be along any minute,” he added. “He called to tell me he was having a late lunch with his dad, and then he’ll swing by the house to pick up Walking Eagle.”

Warner took two deep breaths of the pine-scented air and beamed at the preserve laid out before him.

“I love this land. I grew up out here. My dad used to say it was rotten for ranching, but great for rambling.”

“We actually met your son when we were having lunch today,” Luce told Warner.

I caught her eye and lifted my right eyebrow in silent admonishment. On the way here, we’d agreed to bird first and play detective second. Luce was jumping the gun.

Which instantly reminded me that, last I’d heard, Arizona allowed private individuals to carry firearms.

As in guns.

To be exact, rifles and shotguns could be carried without a permit, and a handgun could likewise be carried without a permit, as long as it was at least partially visible in a belt holster.

Well, gee, that sure made me feel safer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.