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Birds of Prey |
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I
have always been fascinated with birds of prey and my very first encounter
with one was when I was about ten years old. I was playing at a school
I attended after hours and was exploring this huge juniper tree. There
in front of me I spied a small burrowing owl sitting on a dead branch.
I wanted to see how close he would let me get to him since he was sitting
there rather calmly. To my surprise I was able to walk right up to him. I actually began stroking his head. He neither screeched or tried to get away but just calmly looked at me. I then picked him up in my hands and carried him home (something I was prone to do with wild critters). I showed him to my family and the other neighborhood children before taking him out to the prairie and depositing him next to a burrow. He stood, there for a bit, nosed the burrow opening and then promptly flew off. These owls are brave little souls and many nights we would sit on our porch and watch them hover about the street lights looking for critters to eat. Once and awhile they would land on the street. Sometimes the cats would stalk them but these feisty owls would screech and dive-bomb the cats chasing them out of their hunting territory. |
| One of my favorite places to visit as a young person (and still is today) is the San Diego Zoo. I always enjoyed observing the birds of prey and would marvel at the size and power of the Great Horned Owls as well as the eagles. I read alot of books about them and really enjoyed one that told a story about a teenager who learned the ancient art of falconry. I have seen the falconry demonstrations many times at a nearby Renne Faire and would always go to the tent were the birds were kept to see them up close. Whenever I am driving anywhere and I see a hawk or eagle flying, I always send them a silent wish for good hunting. | |
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A
fellow student at the college I have been attending is a master falconer
and has always been very gracious about letting those interested watch
his Harris Hawk "Hana" when he works her in the field. I have
been able to get some nice footage of her flying as well as photographs.
I want to give my heartfelt thanks to Master Falconer Richard Knight and
Hana (pictured left) for those opportunities. RELATED LINKS N.A.F.A. North American Falconers Association |