photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Trude | profile | all galleries >> other >> raptor_release_2007 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow
previous pagepages 1 2 ALL next page
Sea & Sage Audubon's Camp Committee sponsored me to attend a raptor release by the Orange County Bird of Prey Center.
Sea & Sage Audubon's Camp Committee sponsored me to attend a raptor release by the Orange County Bird of Prey Center.		 Red-tailed Hawks are my totem bird, a bird of special significance in my life.
Red-tailed Hawks are my "totem bird", a bird of special significance in my life.		 Dr. Scott Weldy had over 30 birds to release on Dec 16, an awesome testiment to the centers success in treating injured raptors.
Dr. Scott Weldy had over 30 birds to release on Dec 16, an awesome testiment to the centers success in treating injured raptors.		 The moment arrives! Trude receives an adult female Red-tailed Hawk.
The moment arrives! Trude receives an adult female Red-tailed Hawk.
With a powerful upward throw, the bird leaves behind the humans who have cared for it...
With a powerful upward throw, the bird leaves behind the humans who have cared for it...		 And returns to where it belongs...the wild!
And returns to where it belongs...the wild!		 Trude's Red-tailed Hawk lands on a nearby light pole next to the Santa Ana Mountains.
Trude's Red-tailed Hawk lands on a nearby light pole next to the Santa Ana Mountains.		 The Red-tailed Hawk remains, observing the rest of the releases, until we leave.
The Red-tailed Hawk remains, observing the rest of the releases, until we leave.
A little education: Females are bigger than males. Juveniles may be colored differently. (Cooper's Hawks)
A little education: Females are bigger than males. Juveniles may be colored differently. (Cooper's Hawks)		 Raptors have their air opening placed so they can still breathe while swallowing large prey. (Red-tailed Hawk)
Raptors have their air opening placed so they can still breathe while swallowing large prey. (Red-tailed Hawk)		 Raptors have a third eyelid. This nictitating membrane acts like a windshield wiper. (Great Horned Owl)
Raptors have a third eyelid. This nictitating membrane acts like a windshield wiper. (Great Horned Owl)		 Owls have fringe on their outer primary feathers so air passes quietly over the wing.
Owls have "fringe" on their outer primary feathers so air passes quietly over the wing.
After we throw the birds in the air, most fly away like this adult Red-tailed Hawk
After we throw the birds in the air, most fly away like this adult Red-tailed Hawk		 However, this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk lands on the nearby dirt....
However, this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk lands on the nearby dirt....		 And then decides to WALK uphill instead of fly.
And then decides to WALK uphill instead of fly.		 This Great Horned Owl flew off well, but then made a BAD landing while a released hawk watches.
This Great Horned Owl flew off well, but then made a BAD landing while a released hawk watches.
Notice the excellent camouflage on the upperwing. (Great Horned Owl)
Notice the excellent camouflage on the upperwing. (Great Horned Owl)		 Dr. Scott Weldy holds raptors by their feet, the killing part of raptors.
Dr. Scott Weldy holds raptors by their feet, the killing part of raptors.		 We use heavy gloves to avoid being punctured by their razor-sharp talons.
We use heavy gloves to avoid being punctured by their razor-sharp talons.		 The sun sets as we finish releasing a Red-shouldered Hawk, several American Kestrels and a Barn Owl.
The sun sets as we finish releasing a Red-shouldered Hawk, several American Kestrels and a Barn Owl.
The smile on Camp Co-coordinator Grace McElhiney says it all!
The smile on Camp Co-coordinator Grace McElhiney says it all!		 You, too, can participate in a raptor release! Just sponsor a bird with the Orange County Bird of Prey Center (see website).
You, too, can participate in a raptor release! Just sponsor a bird with the Orange County Bird of Prey Center (see website).		 Life of the hawk: perch high, watch for passing food, swoop down, capture (hopefully), kill and eat.
Life of the hawk: perch high, watch for passing food, swoop down, capture (hopefully), kill and eat.		 Flying free into the sunset . . . . .
Flying free into the sunset . . . . .
previous pagepages 1 2 ALL next page

comment | share
Guest 20-Dec-2007 19:59
Hi Trudy,

Great pictures and great story too. Thank you for sharing with us your passion and your hobby.

Take care.


Mpham
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image