I finally got to go on my Birthday Excursion--I chose to go to the English School of Falconry and Bird of Prey Centre. It was brilliant!
I left from King's Cross Station one last time....Not going to be much talk on this blog---but lots of nice pictures.
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| Beautiful |
And ended up in Biggleswade. I then walked into town and took a cab to the centre.
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| Great name! |
When I first arrived we were allowed to look at all the birds that were tethered and would be shown to us later.
Eagles, Owls, Falcons & Hawks! Really amazing variety. |
| Very nice! |
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| Heart shaped face--UK barn owl |
We were allowed to "handle" quite a lot of birds. These have all been hand raised. We started small and worked our way up. Started with smaller owls and then on to larger ones.
The Falcon Show---She is beautiful and amazingly fast! If I get back to London, I am going to go back and do a half day hunt with a falcon!!
Don't look if you are squeamish!
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| Reward! Baby chick. |
After the show we went back to handle more birds. And do some flying. (Well, we provided the landing. )
Who knew owls were so big and so heavy?
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| South African Spotted Owl |
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| Tawny |
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| South African Eagle Owl. Pink skin over the eyes--represents maturity...it will eventually turn brighter red. |
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| If you look closely--almost level with my hand Earl is taking off. |
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| Landing |
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| Landed & Settled |
A few other birds at the centre that are a little different.
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| Cute pelican! Quite large! |
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| Stork |
More owl handling!
OK--so a little talk---learned something new. Owl eye color is based on what time they hunt. Owls with dark eyes hunt nocturnally. The yellow eyes--hunt during the day (diurnal), orange they hunt at dawn or dusk. (Learned a new word: crepuscular).
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| Important and Pretty. |
The only ones that we could actually stroke their feathers--babies--because these feathers are not permanent. Owls feathers are not waterproof and are designed so that they fly silently--since they aren't fast like the raptors. (The bird lessons are done now. I promise.)
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| South African Babies |
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| REALLY heavy!!! I am trying so hard to look like it is easy to hold this bird up! |
My body language is really awkward in the picture below...but I was really comfortable with all of them. Maybe I was turning toward the camera...and not wanting to disturb this beautiful eagle. Weird.
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| Yep! That's my hand and those are some big talons! |
African Fish Eagle
And to close a couple more owls:
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| Are not those the funnies legs you have ever seen? |
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| Cute Tawny Owl!! |
When do I hunt?
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| Even the middle size Tawny has amazing talons. |
It was a great experience. The falconers were all very well educated and kind to both the eager (like me) and the timid. Everyone was given lots of time with all the birds. A really incredible experience. 
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