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Trude | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> raptor_release_2013 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow
We joined Dr. Scott Weldy for a raptor release near the Santa Ana Mountains
We joined Dr. Scott Weldy for a raptor release near the Santa Ana Mountains		 We began with several Cooper's Hawks
We began with several Cooper's Hawks 		These urban raptors are released near El Toro High School
These urban raptors are released near El Toro High School		 Glad to be out of a cage (but now has to find birds to eat)
Glad to be out of a cage (but now has to find birds to eat)
Next were the Red-tailed Hawks
Next were the Red-tailed Hawks		 Only adults have a reddish-orange tail
Only adults have a reddish-orange tail		 Notice the Red-Shoulders on this next hawk.
Notice the Red-Shoulders on this next hawk.		 Did you guess Red-shouldered Hawk? Correct!
Did you guess Red-shouldered Hawk? Correct!
I was privileged to release a Red-shouldered Hawk
I was privileged to release a Red-shouldered Hawk		 American Kestrel male, with female on right
American Kestrel male, with female on right		 American Kestrel female's pretty tail
American Kestrel female's pretty tail		 Look at that face! Barn Owl
Look at that face! Barn Owl
Barn Owl so ready to go!
Barn Owl so ready to go!		 Barn Owl flying to freedom . . .
Barn Owl flying to freedom . . . 		. . . with a slight detour
. . . with a slight detour		 Needs practice flying outside a cage, but it recovered quickly
Needs practice flying outside a cage, but it recovered quickly
Shark of the Night Skies...Great Horned Owl
Shark of the Night Skies...Great Horned Owl		 Massive body
Massive body 		Raptors have keen eyesight and sharp beak
Raptors have keen eyesight and sharp beak		 Unlike other birds, raptors catch food with sharp TALONS
Unlike other birds, raptors catch food with sharp TALONS
Notice breathing tube in mouth (so it doesn't asphyxiate while rodents go down its throat)
Notice breathing tube in mouth (so it doesn't asphyxiate while rodents go down its throat)		 Notice new feathers growing in during molt
Notice new feathers growing in during molt		 Exciting that so many injured raptors are now well and flying free in Orange County
Exciting that so many injured raptors are now well and flying free in Orange County		 YOU can sponsor a raptor for release, too! Contact Orange County Bird of Prey Center.
YOU can sponsor a raptor for release, too! Contact Orange County Bird of Prey Center.

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Guest 23-Nov-2013 20:15
Thank you for sharing! I can almost hear the beat of their great wings in flight!
A
Pamela Phillips 18-Nov-2013 17:30
Trude,
These photos are fabulous! What a great experience to release one of these amazing beauties--thank you so much for sharing these with us.
Guest 18-Nov-2013 04:21
Great photos! We had a massive crow mob near my house. I think it was a Cooper's hawk that caught and ate one. Not too far to Saddleback College for those released Cooper's hawks.
Lynda Armbruster 18-Nov-2013 04:11
What a great album - thanks so much for participating in this fabulous event!!
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