I call these my "cherry picked" photos, because I photographed these birds at a festival where they were being exhibited by a Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization. How I would love to see these in the wild and be able to capture photographs of them in their natural settings!
Here's a Kestrel that was hit by a car and ended up being blinded in one eye. He will not be able to be released back into the wild but is now part of the education program. This was a treat for my husband to see as this is his favorite bird.
Here is a Rough-legged hawk. I believe this one had an injured foot/claw so he would not be able to grasp his prey in the wild. He was very vocal and loved showing us how beautiful his wings looked spread out.
Little River in the Smokies
1 week ago
25 comments:
Shelley,
What handsome birds these two fellows are!! Wow! I have never seen a close up picture of a kestrel before..nor a rough-legged hawk. They do take one's breath away with those beaks and talons!! Amazing textures and patterns of color. Thanks for posting your cherry-picked pix!! Loved them!!
What a treat to get to see these guys up close and personal...
Shelley, such fantastic photos! The colors in the American Kestrel are fantastic!
Great photos!!!!!
Good luck with your craft show. I want to hear all about it. Details.
Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra
Aren't you glad there are organizaitons and people who work hard to rehabilitate critters? It is sad when they can't be returned to life as they once knew it, but hopefully they will live to an old age and still feel that wildness within.
Beautiful picture of the Kestral, Shelley. Getting so close makes the birds look so much bigger.
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Betsy
I never knew the names of these birds, and don't know if I have ever seen them..so "cherry picked" or not, it is still neat seeing closeup photos of them..thanks!
To see them up close and personal must have been wonderful! You can't help but wonder what it's like for them in captivity, if they still get to fly at all. I sure hope so!
Sharon
Whether they are "cherry picked" or not, they are beautiful photos and beautiful birds. They are birds that are very difficult to see at this close a range in the wild, but of course that's where you really like to see them. Thanks for sharing these.
We have a lot of hawks here but they are so fast, I can never get a good look. Thanks for the pics.
Beautiful cherry picked birds! It's nice to see such close shots of them!
Hi, The amazing thing whne you take pictures that close is to see the claws, the beak and the eyes. You realize that these guys are big perfect predators then, and it is no good to be a mouse or a smll bird!!! These picture are very nice, but yeh, well a bit harder to take in nature, that's right!!!
It's such a shame that they can't be released, but so wonderful that they are being so well cared for and can educate people.
The kestrals remind me of wood ducks in their gorgeous plumage. Wow!
Aren't they amazing creatures? Kudos to those people who care for them!
They are still great shots. It's always sad when a bird gets injured and subsequently cannot be released into the wild again.
Awesome pictures! You always get great shots.
I had a Shellmo inspired dream last night, only your "blue jay" of previous posts turned into one of these fellows and got into our upstairs window. Yikes.
Both are beautiful!
Beautiful birds Shelley.
Birds of Prey are right up on the top of my list. Such majestic birds.
These birds are so beautiful and what great shots. So up close!!! Love them Shelly!!
Beautiful birds even in captivity.Thankfully there are places where these injured birds can live .
Blessings,Ruth
Shelly: What neat hawks to see up close, nice captures.
These are great photos of such magnificent birds, Shelley. It must have been exciting to see them up close and personal.
What beautiful birds!
Post a Comment