Information technology's yrev very good to come across you again, old friend.

Doppelgänger Agent Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks

Kathy Clark, Ben Wurst, and I were walking back to our cars when we suddenly realized we forgot to name the babies.

It was the early summer of 2020, and we had merely only banded four good for you Peregrine Falcons at the Causeway Bridge.

Just equally we arrived back at our cars, still debating ideas for names for the banded babies, a suspiciously nondescript town car pulled down the gravel road and approached the states. Information technology was clearly some kind of law enforcement. Is there anything more conspicuous than an unmarked law enforcement vehicle?

Soon two clean cut and serious looking men appeared and asked usa what nosotros were doing. We told them about the Peregrine family on Bonnet Island. Once they heard our story and had noticed Kathy's clearly-labeled, state issued truck, they relaxed a flake and informed us that a large protestation was beingness planned at the bridge the post-obit week. They weren't sure what the oversupply size would exist, but permit us know in case nosotros felt we should take some precautions for protecting the Peregrine tower and discouraging trespassing.

Nosotros thanked these mysterious men and they drove off. We all noticed they had never identified themselves.

But Ben & I had fabricated clear mental notes most the uncommon insignia we saw embroidered on the driver'south polo shirt. A quick epitome search online confirmed they were from the FBI!

The experience was unexpected and unusual, and also gave us a keen thought for naming the iv babies.

Nosotros named them for famous, fictional FBI agents from motion picture and television. The iii girls were named "Agent Starling" (Silence of The Lambs), "Agent Scully" (The X Files), and "Agent Heart" (Miss Congeniality).

And we named the 1 boy "Special Amanuensis Dale Cooper" (Twin Peaks).

I've actually had several positive interactions with police enforcement while working with Peregrine Falcons. This is probably because Peregrine honey large, public structures similar bridges and water towers, which forces me to pitter-patter suspiciously around them, ofttimes.

I withal think the warm kindness shown by the Stafford Police Department when they helped command traffic and then I could retrieve the remains of "Agent Starling" when she was struck and killed on the bridge not long subsequently her banding and our run in with the FBI.

And just concluding calendar week I spent a prissy evening talking to a local officer while I stood for hours nether the Surf City h2o belfry trying to get a band read. Many local officers have peeked through my lens to go a close wait at these mysterious birds who go out "presents" (bird heads and bird legs from their meals in a higher place) on their squad cars parked beneath.

The Surf Metropolis h2o tower is a great place to see Peregrine Falcons. In fact, the current matriarch of the Bonnet Island tower, Jo Durt (82/AN) spent almost two years ruling the Surf City belfry as she honed her skills and prepared herself to take over the Causeway Bridge. It'south a bang-up place to catch young falcons passing through in the autumn while migrating.

But right now is the beginning of nesting season, and I've been seeing a Peregrine in developed plumage a petty too often at the Surf City belfry. Could it be one of our nesting birds who has lost a mate? Could it be a new adult looking to brand a dwelling on LBI?

I became determined to see if it was banded.

It took several hours over a few days. It's withal cold enough that a resting falcon will puff out its feathers a bit for insulation, and pull its legs close in to minimize oestrus loss. So y'all but accept to sit at that place, staring through a scope or photographic camera, and wait for that one moment it will finally stretch the leg which would take the colored band, so pray it even has a band, and so, if it has one at all, that you can read it.

I'm glad I didn't give up. After a few horribly dreary, spooky evenings, continuing patiently with an aching back trying to out expect an unreasonably patient Peregrine, I came back bright and early for i last try. I don't think I had been there watching for more than xxx seconds when it stuck it'south leg direct out to evidence me.

It was Special Agent Dale Cooper.

Special Agent Dale Cooper at his banding nether the Causeway Bridge, 2020. Looking angry because nosotros forgot to name him.

Savour this quick clip from the other morning when Special Amanuensis Dale Cooper (banded in 2020 as Exist/96) finally identified himself in Surf City:

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To celebrate this joyous development, and while nosotros consider what it all might hateful, hither are x great quotes from ever warm, always wise Special Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks.

The only manner dear ever affected death was in making it more painful.

Special agent Dale Cooper

All things considered, being shot is not as bad as I always thought it might exist. Every bit long equally yous tin can go on the fear from your mind. But I estimate yous can say that about most anything in life. Its not so bad equally long as you can go along the fear from your mind.

Special agent Dale Cooper

Now, I'd similar two eggs, over hard. I know, don't tell me; it's hard on the arteries, but erstwhile habits die hard — but near as hard equally I want those eggs.

Special agent Dale Cooper

Harry, I'm going to let you lot in on a fiddling hush-hush. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for information technology, just let it happen.

Special agent Dale Cooper

I accept no idea where this volition atomic number 82 us, but I have a definite feeling it will exist a place both wonderful and foreign.

Special agent Dale Cooper

I do not know why I shot the bird. At the moment I squeezed the trigger information technology seemed that the only two things in the world were the crow and myself. And now there is just me.

Special agent Dale Cooper

All I know is that I do non believe in anything anymore and that I must find something to believe in or I will cease to exist.

Special agent Dale Cooper

Doctor, when the will is invoked, the recuperative powers of the physical trunk are simply extraordinary. Just give me a couple of hours to get dressed.

Special agent Dale Cooper

To believe you know where you are headed is non to empathise where one is at the moment.

Special agent Dale Cooper

I only have fourth dimension for coffee.

Special agent Dale Cooper