Raptors

[Mitch]

A couple of weeks ago I went along to a Raptor Day that a friend helps run. It is the first time I had done anything like this and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it, there was only a couple of us that went, so you weren't fighting for position to get the best shot/angle. 

First 2 images are of a Male Merlin, such a beautiful bird and surprisingly small.

 

[Mitch]

[Mitch]

The next couple are of a Long Eared Owl.... This little female was quite the model, ever so happy to sit there and pose for you, although if you got too close she would let you know lol

[Mitch]

[Mitch]

Final image is a Barn Owl... I wont bore you with the flight shots, thought this selection of images makes a nice change to the normal flight shots you would get from a Raptor Day.

[Ryewolf]

Some great shots there Mitch, don't think I've ever seen a Merlin

[FUJI]

 

A  brilliant set Mitch.....love Raptors.

I follow the progress of the  pair of Peregrine Falcons  which  nest every year on a high ledge  on the University  Nottingham Trent building....just google them for live streaming video 24/7.

Also,  my neighbour's and I are delighted that, our local Buzzard s seemed to have increased in number, this spring, fir the past three weeks, we are enjoying spectacular flying displays from three , possibly siblings from last year's nest to the rear of the house.

This time, they are flying  over the pool and park opposite the front.

 

FUJI

[Korky]

A lovely set of images - the Barn Owl is the top shot for me. Wonderful!

Korky

[CanonChrissy]

Lovely portraits here - I like the owl close-up best

[Mitch]

1 hour ago, Ryewolf said:

Some great shots there Mitch, don't think I've ever seen a Merlin

Thanks Geoff, was a first for me too, such a beautiful little bird, I could have spent the entire day just photographing him.

[Mitch]

1 hour ago, FUJI said:

 

A  brilliant set Mitch.....love Raptors.

I follow the progress of the  pair of Peregrine Falcons  which  nest every year on a high ledge  on the University  Nottingham Trent building....just google them for live streaming video 24/7.

Also,  my neighbour's and I are delighted that, our local Buzzard s seemed to have increased in number, this spring, fir the past three weeks, we are enjoying spectacular flying displays from three , possibly siblings from last year's nest to the rear of the house.

This time, they are flying  over the pool and park opposite the front.

 

FUJI

Thanks FUJI, I keep forgetting that they have a video camera on the Peregrine nest site in Nottingham, will go bookmark it in a momant while it is fresh in my mind lol.

Buzzards seem to be making a good come back around the UK , I was fortunate enough to see one at Rufford Abbey a couple of months back, and even more amazed to see it hunting worms, I mentioned this to the Falconer on the day and was quite shocked that this is quite normal, and that they also eat anything that moves ie insects and the like.

Would love to as close to them as you are, although I fear it would be too much of a distraction while I was driving my bus lol.

[Mitch]

1 hour ago, CanonChrissy said:

Lovely portraits here - I like the owl close-up best

Thanks Chrissy, I think that shot was taken on my 105mm Macro lens, so that should give you an idea as to how close she was letting me get to her, such a beautiful little thing up close.

[Mitch]

1 hour ago, Korky said:

A lovely set of images - the Barn Owl is the top shot for me. Wonderful!

Korky

Thanks Korky..... It's strange most people tend to favour the Barn Owl pic, yet for me I am torn between the Long eared and the Merlin...all beautiful animals though.

[Clicker]

Whata fantastic set Mitch ... They are just stunning in their clarity  but that  Merlin is just the MOST beautiful bird I think i have ever seen  The second shot is just exquisite .... He /She  is  just looking at you as if to say ... mirror mirror on the wall.. who's the prettiest raptor  of them all . The most  stunning colouring. Well done you ..

[Guest Judy]

They're all really super images, Mitch, but that second Long Eared Owl is a fantastic shot - she's really scarey and funny at the same time 

[Mitch]

10 minutes ago, Judy said:

They're all really super images, Mitch, but that second Long Eared Owl is a fantastic shot - she's really scarey and funny at the same time 

Thank you Judy lol...... Here is another close up shot that might less scary lol

[Guest Ron]

^{A lovely set Mitch, stunning detail, I think they are all excellent.}

^Ron 

[Mitch]

Just now, Ron said:

^{A lovely set Mitch, stunning detail, I think they are all excellent.}

^Ron 

Thank you Ron

[Guest Judy]

She's a cutie in that shot, Mitch

[Mitch]

47 minutes ago, Clicker said:

Whata fantastic set Mitch ... They are just stunning in their clarity  but that  Merlin is just the MOST beautiful bird I think i have ever seen  The second shot is just exquisite .... He /She  is  just looking at you as if to say ... mirror mirror on the wall.. who's the prettiest raptor  of them all . The most  stunning colouring. Well done you ..

Thank you Polly and yes he is a stunner... I did forget myself at one point and moved my finger in for a tickle lol.... He quickly reminded me that you can look but can't touch lol

[BillE]

Awsome, that first pic of the merlin just stunning, as for buzzards Mitch, come down this way we have been tripping over them for years

[Clicker]

I know how self deprecating you are Mitch ... and I'm sure we won't be bored  but if you have some flight  pics I for one would love to see them ... ..

[Mitch]

3 hours ago, Clicker said:

I know how self deprecating you are Mitch ... and I'm sure we won't be bored  but if you have some flight  pics I for one would love to see them ... ..

Just a quick edit for you....this was taken on my Sigma 105mm Macro lens, so bit of a hefty crop

[Mitch]

and another flight shot, coming into land on the falconers glove...the falconer also is named Mitch....top man lol

[Mitch]