Green Heron and Dragonfly

Yes, yes I know- more hawks to come. In the meantime, since any followers know my love for Green Herons, check out this video friend Sharon sent me - it takes a few seconds to show the action, but it's worth it -

Sniff Tests

Nothing like getting to bury your nose in the back of an accip's head. The young Northern Goshawk on the left got the first sniff test - and passed with flying colors. The young Cooper's Hawk also got a thumb's up.

And more Red Tails!

Last season we were painfully low on banding Red tails - as in one lonely bird. That was it. We are doing better this season - adults as well as hatch years. More to come!

Part 2 - Red Tail Appreciation

Enjoy!

Part 1 of Ode to Red Tails

Have TONS of shots of Red-tails flying as they were released after banding. Try to spot the band in the pictures!

Dream weekend

This past weekend was really the reason why we do what we do; 40 birds over the two days. 13 Red-tails, (I think) 6 Goshawks, several Cooper's hawks - the hits just kept coming. The skies were literally full of Red-tails on Saturday. Great winds helped us out a lot.

Because larger birds are a (little) slower, it helps to give us a little extra time to get some more shots in. First shot is one of my faves - we tossed this Red-tail into the wind. It pumped in flight for a bit, and then did a "wing over" - UPWARDS! The bird decided to flip over to change direction in the air to actually catch the winds behind it, as a tail wind. The other Red-tail flying shows the band we just put on it.



Bander Rick released a Goshawk, a Red-tail and a Cooper's Hawk as the rest of us took photos.

Eagle Owl video

Ran out of time this week to post some more pics. Enjoy this video of a captive Eurasian Eagle Owl filmed as it flew to a perch, sent by friends Nancy and Chuck. Watch how the owl flares its feathers (wings and tail) to create drag as it slows down to land. Note also how the feet come up exactly between its ears; this is how the bird would approach prey.