Peregrine Falcon Experience

Here's a beautiful female Peregrine Falcon. I took this photo the same day as the ones in the Gyrfalcon post, at the World Center for Birds of Prey. At first she started to go after a flock of small birds, but then she turned and came back for the lure the falconer was twirling for her. To see more images from this experience, click here.

Swainson's Hawk (correction-Young Red-Tailed Hawk)

Thought I'd share this image of what I believe I've identified as a Swainson's Hawk. (correction, young red-tailed hawk, thank you Falconry Solutions) Feel free to correct me, those of you who have been birding much longer than I, should I be wrong. This bird was right near the roadside just a couple of miles from our home. Such a pretty bird.

Eagle Eyes

This is a photo that I took right through the bars of this female Bald Eagle's enclosure at the World Center for Birds of Prey two weekends ago. She is a beauty! I had to wait for her to come closer and the lighting to change to get the shot, but I finally did it. I'll be back to visit her again...

Gyrfalcon Experience

My latest experience in birding took place at The Peregrine Fund, World Center for Birds of Prey, which is located in Boise, Idaho.



This is a Gyrfalcon. The falconers brought it out so we could see it fly freely. It's part of their training. They used a lure with real bait stuffed inside and the bird had to catch it to get its reward, as in the wild. I only caught a couple of images in flight, as it all happens so fast. There's not much of a chance, because when the bird catches the lure, it's game over. This bird actually missed it the first time, so I did get a second try. The speed and agility of this bird is amazing, as is its pattern & coloring. We were also treated to the flight of an American Kestrel and a Peregrine Falcon which I will put in separate galleries on my website.

It was such a wonderful experience being able to see this. The flight displays are going on through the end of October if you're in the area. Call for times.