Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly with the birds? Let me relate two of my experiences.

The first time I flew with the birds, I was out just playing in the air, looking for thermals and seeing how much they could help my climb. I found a particularly strong thermal and started circling within it. I cut my power a bit and watched the altimeter to see just how strong it was, and how well it would carry me. I looked up and over on my left I saw a red-tailed hawk, not more than 10 feet from my wingtip! I guess he saw me rising and circling, and decided to ride the same thermal. As we were flying, I tried to move closer to him, but he just eyed me suspiciously and moved back out to the distance where I first noticed him. Okay, not too close, but he wasn't going to lose this thermal! At some point we both went our separate ways, after gaining much altitude, and I thought, pretty cool!

The other time I flew with the birds, I was on my way back from Castle Airfield to Oakdale, and happened upon some geese flying my way. There were 5 or 6 of them in a classic V formation when I caught up and adjusted my speed to match theirs, getting into their formation on the left side of the V. They didn't seem at all bothered by me being there. Maybe because I came up to them slowly and formed up. I don't know why. I creeped closer and closer, keeping an close eye on them in case they freaked. I would not want to hit one of these birds, with as big as they are! I got almost close enough at one point to reach out over the nose of my plane and touch the tail of the goose in front of me. I didn't try though, and we continued on this way for miles. As we neared Oakdale, I slowly pulled away from them and went back to my own nest. What an experience that was!