We had planned to go see the raptors when we were in this area a few weeks ago, but it ended up raining. The forecast looked good on Friday so we drove up. It's a relatively small place, but they have a good variety of birds and usually some of them are out where you can photograph them without a cage getting in the way.
The first one that was out (being held by one of the staff) was a Gyrfalcon, the largest falcon in the world.
Next was one of the smaller owls, a Western Screech Owl.
The flight show is always good to see the birds in action, not just perched. It started with a Bald Eagle. It takes Bald Eagles a number of years to get the white head and tail. This one was almost there.
It was still learning to pick fish out of the water.
Harris's Hawks are one of the only raptors that hunt in groups, cooperatively. They live in the southern US but I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild.
The Barn Owl was the most entertaining. It was not in a cooperative mood and would not land on the presenter's glove. It would only take its treats from the posts. And it kept flying off and perching in the nearby trees. (The birds have radio trackers in case they decide to wander.) When it was time for the owl to leave, it refused and the show had to be cut short because they couldn't bring out the next bird while the owl was still out. Another trainer came and eventually lured it out of the trees.
There were several American Kestrels, the smallest and most common falcon in North America.
There was also an Aplomado Falcon.
Coincidentally, driving home from the raptor center we spotted this wild Bald Eagle.
See all 21 photos in this batch
No comments:
Post a Comment