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The first generations our Release Duvs could only be called mutts with their mixture of various flying breeds. Those that had
the good quality of flying for a long time in the viewing area typically
had very little homing skill and continued flying for a long time out of
the viewing area. Those that had the good quality of leaving the
sky quickly also left the viewing area quickly. Today, Release Duvs are fun and interesting to watch.
The future includes many new breeding goals,
show qualities, and flying skills.
Future Show Qualities
Currently, most of our Release Duvs are not pure white. In the
future, multiple sub-classes will be defined.
One sub-class will be pure white.
Attractive Look
Our Release Duvs are already more attractive than today's white racing
pigeons. From a distance, white racing pigeon releases appear beautiful and exciting. But up close,
where the birds may be displayed prior to their release, it is easy to see the difference.
The look of our Release Duvs are heavily influenced by the softer,
rounder look of non-homer breeds. I've relied heavily on my three
daughters to judge such scientific concepts as "cuteness".
Size
One goal of our breeding program was to produce a smaller bird for
ceremonial releases. Currently, our birds are smaller
than a typical white racing pigeon due to the influences of the Star Tail and
Tippler breeds. In the future, Release Duvs will become
smaller yet, as size represents an important part of the judging score.
Feathering
Some of our Release Duvs now include leg feathers, called "Grouse"
feathering. In the future, other ornamental feathering will be
allowed that does not interfere with flight. Head dresses and
frills may be included.
Future Fly Off Judging
The method of judging the moment when "Fly Time" ends is currently
based on declaring when the birds leave the viewing area. In the
future, at least three additional events may be used to declare the end
of "Fly Time". These additional events may be too difficult to
judge accurately. Therefore some relatively simple technology can
be used to accurately note these "moments" in time.
Three More Flying Events
In the future, we will begin adding the "S" maneuver as an additional
event to determine when Fly Time ends. This event will be judged based
on the moment when the kit of birds quit circling and reverse their direction.
Later, we will begin adding the "Down" maneuver as an
additional event to judge when Fly Time ends. This event will be
judged based on the moment when the kit of birds reduce their altitude.
Later, we will begin using the "Leveling" maneuver as an
additional event to judge the end of Fly Time. This event will be
judged based on a span of time in which the kit of birds has not
gained altitude.
Technology
In the future we can use technology to remove all judging disputes. The technology for tracking Release
Duvs in flight is relatively
simple. We'll need two angle transducers in each observation point
to measure the vertical and horizontal angle. We only need two
observation points to calculate the position of the birds in three
dimensions. We need a piece of software to read the angles and
calculate a current position. The software should use tracking-prediction calculations to detect when the
transducers, or the operator have made a mistake, and thus ignore such readings.
One obvious advantage of using technology is that a more complex viewing area can be defined, such as a parabolic cone. The birds' path can be tracked exactly to determine their skill at circling up while staying
in the cone.
contact: info2@oregoncity.com
Ceremony Dove is a trademark of Wynn Smith.
© Wynn Smith, 2005
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