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A Clear Resonance Across Thirty Years: In Memory of Master Bellmaker Larry Counce 橫跨三十年的清脆迴響——懷念鷹獵鈴鐺大師 Larry Counce

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Larry Counce on December 4th, 2025. Looking at the masterfully crafted bells in my hands, my thoughts inevitably drift back to a moment more than thirty years ago.

Back then, when I reached out to Larry to order a set of bells, he didn't just treat it as a cold transaction. Instead, he asked me with genuine care: "What kind of hawk are you flying?" When I told him I was flying a Japanese Sparrowhawk, a small and delicate raptor, Larry replied with characteristic honesty, saying that the bells he had in stock were all too large for such a small bird.

However, what happened next was a gesture of professional spirit and kindness that I have never forgotten. Larry told me that he would specially craft a custom size just for my hawk. Furthermore, he insisted that these two pairs of specially made bells would be a gift—he refused to take a single penny for them.

Not long after, I received this surprise from across the ocean. The bells were a perfect manifestation of his legendary "equator reinforced butt-joint" craftsmanship. Even at such a small scale, the sound remained crisp, piercing, and incredibly clear. To me, they were more than just equipment; they were a symbol of a master’s warmth and mentorship toward a fellow falconer from a distant land.

Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. The Japanese Sparrowhawk is long gone, and these bells have long since been retired from use, but I have always kept them in a place of honor. They stand as a testament to a pure, borderless friendship within the falconry community.

Now that the Master has departed, the world will see no more bells personally handmade by Larry. Yet, every time I gently shake these gifts I’ve held for three decades, that clear ring seems to echo the passion and generosity of the old gentleman from Tennessee.

Rest in peace, Larry Counce. Thank you for the beautiful sound you left for the world to hear.

— Johnson Wang, from Taiwan

得知 Larry Counce 先生於 2025 年 12 月初離世的消息，心中百感交集。看著手中那幾對工藝精湛的鷹獵鈴鐺，思緒不禁回到了三十多年前。

那時我寫信向遠在美國的 Larry 訂購鷹獵鈴鐺，他並非只是冷冰冰地接單，而是細心地詢問我：你養的是什麼鷹？當我告訴他我養的是身形嬌小的日本松雀鷹時，Larry 在回信中說，他手邊現有的尺寸對日本松雀鷹來說都太大了。

沒想到，這位大師隨後做了一個令我至今難忘的決定。他對我說，他願意為了這隻小鷹特別製作專屬的小尺寸，並且這二對特製的鈴鐺，直接送給我作為禮物。

在那之後沒多久，我收到了這份跨海而來的驚喜。這兩對特製鈴鐺完美體現了他引以為傲的赤道加固對接工藝，即便體積縮小，聲音依然清脆、穿透力十足。對當時的我來說，這不單是兩對工具，更是一位大師對遠方獵鷹同好的提攜與溫情。

轉眼三十年過去，日本松雀鷹早已不在身邊，這幾對鈴鐺也早已不再使用，但我始終將它們珍藏在最重要的地方。它們見證了一段純粹的、跨越國界的鷹獵情誼。

如今大師遠去，世間再無 Larry 親手製作的鷹獵鈴鐺，但每當我輕輕搖動這份留存了三十年的禮物，那清脆的鈴聲彷彿還在訴說著，那位田納西州老紳士當年的熱情與慷慨。

願 Larry Counce 先生在天堂安息，謝謝您為這世界留下的聲音。

— Johnson Wang, from Taiwan

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Cyclophiops major （青蛇／翠青蛇）