Venturing Out

Since she had flown across my kitchen to me the day before, yesterday we went outside into the backyard on the creance--a long, slim line that attaches to the jesses on one end and to a weighted point on the other that acts like a long leash does for a dog or a longe line for a horse--for the first time.  We've been doing walks around the neighborhood for the past few days to get her accustomed to being outside in her gear and staying with me, so I was hopeful that the transition would go smoothly. 

Isabeau on the creance.

I started close in like I had done in the house to give her the idea that it was the same thing.  She didn't hesitate, so I doubled the distance and tried again.  She did wonderfully until I got even with the house.  She flew toward me and then at the last moment soared up above my head and landed on the roof!  As much as I didn't want to reward her behavior, I had to get her down, so I called her to the glove with a tidbit and went back to try again.  The second time, she came to me at the same distance without a problem, so I increased the distance again and the same thing happened.  I stayed in one spot until she came straight to me and then would move back again.  The last time, rather than landing on the roof on the first attempt, she flew past me to land on the gate.  Since I was able to reach her, I simply picked her up and carried her back to her perch without giving her the tidbit and made her try again.  It was like the proverbial light clicked on and she came to me.  It was amazing! Watching this wild animal willingly fly toward me and land on my glove with no fear is beyond explanation.  
Today, we went to the ball field near my house to fly.  She went double the length of the creance and didn't skip a beat. It was awesome! We'll do this again to get it set into her head and then we'll start working on the lure, which I'll go into next time. 

Walking back to the perch after a 300' flight.