Bird of Prey ride

[Pfloydgad]

I was on my way to work this morning, turned left to get on the on ramp to the small slab I use to get to work. It is a nice long sweeper, probably an easy 1/8 mile or so. I make the left and see out of the corner of my eye something just a few feet away.
I look over, and there it was, a young Hawk, grey and white with brown trim just 10 ft. from me. He looked right at me, those dead black eyes, he went with me in the wide turn almost all the way onto the main highway. I couldn't hear him, but he was chattering up a storm as we did our little dance.
What a beautiful sight, especially as close ae it got. He banked away toward some trees and I kept going, me flying on my Connie, him, well, just flying.
The few moments went by way to fast.
Ride safe all,
Greg

[tonedeaf]

Peregrine, Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Red Tail make up the Birds of Prey course. What a ride -- and you can even see the real birds.

Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek

[Fretka]

Funny you should use the term "dead black eyes". If you ever get up close to a raptor you'll find that those eyes will burn holes right thru you!

Fretka

[Conrad]

Funny you should use the term "dead black eyes". If you ever get up close to a raptor you'll find that those eyes will burn holes right thru you!

Fretka

Who, me?

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[snarf]

Who, me?

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Yes you...

[Fretka]

Part of my job for the USDA was trapping raptors of every kind.
One of THE most intense memories of my career was trapping great horned owls.

I would trap them using a leg-hold and when approaching them to remove the trap the look in their eyes was like some sort of diamond-like, intense pure anger the likes of which is now imprinted in my brain till death do us part!
(they also would bite like no other raptors). 

[Conrad]

Part of my job for the USDA was trapping raptors of every kind.
One of THE most intense memories of my career was trapping great horned owls.

I would trap them using a leg-hold and when approaching them to remove the trap the look in their eyes was like some sort of diamond-like, intense pure anger the likes of which is now imprinted in my brain till death do us part!
(they also would bite like no other raptors). 

In a small patch of woods near my office lives a breeding pair of Great Horned Owls. They've been there for years, at least 15 now. Early every spring the owlets come out for the first time. It's quite a sight.

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Mom/Dad keeping an eye on me while I take pics

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One of the babys after its 'horns' have come in.

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