Falconry conjures up a certain rarefied air. It seems like a pastime that should be left to the landed gentry in 17th-century England, perhaps. But falconry, which is over 8,000 years old, is alive and well around the world and in the USA. In case you were wondering, falconry is the art of hunting game with a bird of prey, usually a hawk or a falcon. Take a look at this video, for a quick introduction:
Falconry with a Kennedy. Sounds like something from a latter-day Camelot, the American edition. The listing describes what the winning bidder will receive:
“You and your family (up to 4 people) will spend an afternoon with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., master falconer and former president of the New York State Falconer’s Association. After lunch with Mr. Kennedy, you will learn the basics of this 8,000 year old sport at the hands of a true expert.
Time and date to be mutually agreed upon during falconry season which is Oct through March in Westchester County New York. Maximum of 4 people can attend.”
It’s kind of hard to think of what would be cooler, spending the afternoon learning falconry, or just chatting with RFK Jr. about his storied family. Either way, the auction is priceless.
The auction is part of a series of charity auctions benefiting the Rainforest Action Network (RAN). RAN campaigns for the forests, their inhabitants, and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action. The members like to describe their organization’s mission as “environmentalism with teeth,” and their successes are as incredible as they are important. Take a look at the work they have done with preserving forests here. Being from Brazil, I find that the causes RAN espouses run near and dear to me.
Here are some of the other auctions to benefit RAN:
- Dinner for 4 in Private Cheese Cave at Artisanal Bistro in NYC ($600 Value) – currently at only $202!
- And more!
One especially intriguing item is this one-week stay at Dragon’s Rest Getaway – a private 10-acre New York Property. The starting bid is $1,000, but no one has bid on this item yet, giving you the perfect opportunity to grab some friends (it sleeps up to 10 people), and swoop in to pick up this amazing offer at a great price. I almost don’t want to write about it, given it is such a hidden gem.
Whether you like falconry, the Hulk, or just relaxing on your 10-acre spread for a week, eBay’s charity auction has something for everyone.
