Last to Fly
For almost two months, we (the interns) were able to raise and nurture the ten chicks before they started to fly. When the older chicks began to fledge, 46-07 was the one left in the dust. Even though we (as the "parents") couldn't fly, the chicks would now routinely take off and fly 300 or 400 meters away. Little 46-07 did not want to be left behind. She ran as fast as she could and flapped her little wings in an effort to miraculously lift off the ground and join her friends.

Finally the day come when she was able to take off and fly with the others. I was lucky to be there the very first day she officially fledged. From that time on, the chicks grew only closer together until they would fly laps around Site 3 in one big group—peeping and looking for their earthbound parents.