Do you guess the answer from yesterday's post?
THIS IS THE SATURDAY'S POST BUT WITH A DIFFERENCE.
This gentleman was flying both his Harris Hawk and Goshawk so the horses probably didn't like it. When I saw the gentleman way down the road he was just about to leave and I literally flew down, black coat flapping in the wind and he very kindly stopped.
He got the birds out of their boxes again and below is a 6 month old Goshawk called North. He was very friendly and allowed us to stroke him.
Now it was the turn of the Harris Hawk. He was 3 years old and called Jingles and was in no mood for petting. The gentleman very kindly let Jimmy let Jimmy fly him and he came back to his hand.
Then as the gentleman put the glove on my hand. He told me that this bird did not like woman and rarely came to their hand but still with the camera in my other hand I did fly him and he immediately came back to my hand. I quickly snapped a shot, not very good but better than nothing!! Jimmy and I were thrilled at being so close to these magnificent birds. Also it was very special being able to fly them and for them to return on our hands.
I managed to video a short video and it can be accessed at
http://youtu.be/GgQ-u9dqmKA
If you cannot see the video below, click space and the video will appear.
http://youtu.be/GgQ-u9dqmKA
If you cannot see the video below, click space and the video will appear.
I know none of you guessed what spooked the horses and some of you gave me a great laugh with your answers. Thanks for that. I hope you enjoyed the surprise of seeing the Harris Hawk and Goshawk. Jimmy and I were thrilled.
Many thanks for visiting and leaving comments.
They are gorgeous. I bet it made your year.
ReplyDeleteHI Adrian Yes you could be right. I don't suppose I will ever have another oportunity to fly any other bird of prey soI was chufted. Thanks for you comment and hope you are feelinga bit better now.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I assume these are females as they are preferred by Hawkers. Do all female raptors have yellow on their beaks? I suspect they do. It's often difficult to tell male and female apart I know males are smaller but that isn't much help unless you happen across one of each.
DeleteHI Adrian No they are both male birds. The Goshawk in another 6 months would be a very different colour. You are right the female birds are larger.
DeleteWow Margaret these are beautiful pictures- what a stunning looking bird.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, they are cool birds of prey! I loved the video. Thanks for sharing have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteoh my what photos! gorgeous and how lucky were you!. I've sat on internal flights in Saudi Arabia in front or behind a Falcon and their owner, the birds always had their own seat but sat clipped to gloved hands and forearms, with their blinders.
ReplyDeleteWOW! How lucky for you! Gorgeous birds, and it was nice of him to let you photograph them. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteTwo amazing birds. That would certainly make my year being so close to such magnificent birds.
ReplyDeleteThis bird is getting so close to me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic experience that was...and what wonderful photos you were able to capture.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of this bird, and you were so lucky to get to see this bird up close like this!
ReplyDeletejust so beautiful! glad you got to see them up close and personal!
ReplyDeleteEven tho you don't link up anymore, I just had to stop by today and view your bird photos. I miss your posts. Anyway, I'm sure glad I did come over to visit....what a glorious post, and such handsome birds.
ReplyDeleteHi Anni So glad you were able to see today's post as I am sure I will never have another opportunity to fly a Harris Hawk and get these close up shots. I still do my Saturday post (altough this one was a bit different) because there are many people who like to learn a bit more about birds and so I decided to continue (usually) featureing 1 bird (usually European) with stills, maybe video and information to go with it. Many thanks for your kind comments.
DeleteWoW....great close-ups providing so much beautiful details!!
ReplyDeleteWow. And repeat - Wow.
ReplyDeleteNorth is my favorite here. You got amazing pictures!!! And he looks absolutely perfect! Almost like he was groomed or something.
ReplyDeleteNumber 12 is my favourite, what an Harris Hawk, isn't the look of it, it is a look Prey.
ReplyDeleteSuch a treat for me to see your photos today Margaret. They are incredible, really beautiful, great photos and a great video too.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful birds. At least this way you can get those super close photos.
ReplyDeletePerfect shots. Love the details you were able to get so close!
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
What a wonderful series, I really love the close ups.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great encounter Margaret, how lucky were you to be in the right place at the right time... and how generous of the guy to get the birds back out, AND to let you and Jimmy fly them?
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a wonderful experience for you all to be so close to these beautiful birds?
And you managed to get some wonderful pictures to look back on ( much better than images of a knackers yard wagon!!...lol)...[;o)
And what a coincidence...only last Tuesday, on returning to my car after doing one of my local walks, I was informed by a lady in the next car that I'd just missed,by ten minutes, a man flying two 'hawks' from the car park!...just my luck!
HI Trevor Many thanks for your comment and yes it was a wonderful experience to fly the Harris Hawk and have it return to my hand. I think you must have been following us, did you sneak over to Northern Ireland?! That was a shame you missed out in seeing the hawks yourself.
DeleteI liked how the bird showed off it´s beautiful plumage. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are such majestic birds!
ReplyDeleteHI Betty indeed they are majestic birds and thanks for commment.
DeleteThey are gorgeous birds! What an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteLove the Harris Hawks. They are common here and always amazing to see work as a team. As for the Goshawk, they scare me. They are not a hawk to mess with:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience :) Great photos of such magnificent birds :)
ReplyDelete