Meet the Harris Hawks! Click to enlarge. Please stay tuned to my next post (pt. III and maybe IV) to watch all the hawks in flight, what a sight!
Here’s a sneak preview of them launching off! It was amazing to call them back to glove!
We flew two Harris Hawks who usually hunt cooperatively in groups of 2-6, enabling them to catch larger prey like jack-rabbits.
Harris Hawks are native to the southwestern United States, Chile and Argentina. The silver device you see on the hawks leg is a telemetric tracker in case the hawk were to get lost while flying.
They are a highly social bird and are frequently trained by falconers.
These hawks are working hawks who chase seagulls away from posh beachfront hotels in San Diego. Their presence alone is enough to scare the seagulls away.
We flew them, watched them search, and called them back to hand!
What a thrill! No wonder this has been the ancient art of kings and queens.
In fact, The earliest records of falconry date from Mesopotamia in 2ooo BC!
When I returned to The Holler from my time with the hawks, the red-tails flew closer than ever before, enabling me to get some good shots. Do you suppose they smelled the hawks on me? Who knows? All I know is that hawks are very clever birds and I love them!
Cheers to you from Hawk Holler!
Ahh…Sue pointed me in the way of this post. My hubby and I just tried falconry in Marysville, CA and I just posted about it although your pictures are so much more beautiful! It was so interesting to me that falconry dates back to 2,000 BC! Thank you for such beautiful pics!
I think you visited the mother organization. I think they are connected. I am thrilled to see your pics. Heading over to your blog now. Cheers to you and welcome~
I got a link to this post some where and cannot believe I never got notification of it in the first place… brilliant photos as per normal…
All I can say is I am very glad you like my posts, because I am a major admirer of your photos and posts my friend~
Hello, do you have geagulls photos? i love you photo a very good job!
Yes I do have seagulls and I love them too! I got some great closeups of European gulls on my balcony and shots of their faces and eyes at home. Incredible creatures. Look under categories birds. Usted son muy amable! Abrazos a usted y muchos gracias tan bien!
I looked there but did not finsh, if can will you please send me the link or i will look has soon i can again, love you page esta muy interesante. One love
Yes I will send to you. I didn’t think of it.