Raptors

RandySmugMug

Maestro

Awesome portraits. I know these are injured animals but the one owl missing an eye looks like he's winking. I hope all are rehabilitated well.

RandySmugMug

Maestro wrote:

Awesome portraits. I know these are injured animals but the one owl missing an eye looks like he's winking. I hope all are rehabilitated well.

thx Stephen

that little guy lives there and he is very cute (& small)

Ric Grupe

excellent.

ShepsMom

Wow, what gorgeous shots What happened to the eye of an owl?

RandySmugMug

Ric Grupe wrote:

excellent.

thx Ric

RandySmugMug

ShepsMom wrote:

Wow, what gorgeous shots What happened to the eye of an owl?

thx Marina....
not sure but he lives at this rehab/hospital for raptors

CookieS

Beautiful Bokah and birds, which lens?

RandySmugMug

CookieS wrote:

Beautiful Bokah and birds, which lens?

thx
nikon 80-400vr w/ sb800 flash
the 80-400 is not well suited for motion since it is not an afs lens but has outstanding IQ and very underrated bokeh

Dick on Aruba

Very nice captures. I like the 2nd and the last the most.

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

raptorcaptor

Beautifull photos Randy! Wish you had left the legs in on the first Peregrine shot though!

RandySmugMug

Dick on Aruba wrote:

Very nice captures. I like the 2nd and the last the most.

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

thx dick

RandySmugMug

raptorcaptor wrote:

Beautifull photos Randy! Wish you had left the legs in on the first Peregrine shot though!

thx Glenn

me2

dbaker1221

awesome series!!:ivar

UNCTEP

RandySmugMug wrote:

thx Marina....
not sure but he lives at this rehab/hospital for raptors

My wife and I are volunteers at the Carolina Raptor Center (where these photos were taken). Most of the birds there are brought in after collisions with cars, which I think *don't quote me on this* is what happened to the screech owl. Some are able to be released back into the wild - those whose injuries prevent them from being able to survive in the wild live permanently at the Center and are well cared for. Other raptors that have been brought in are habituated (because someone tried to raise them and now they "think" they are humans and wouldn't survive in the wild), getting caught in barbed-wire fences, babies falling from trees, or worst of all from gunshot wounds inflicted by some serious morons.

If anyone is ever in the Huntersville/Charlotte area it's well worth the $6 admission to be able to get pretty close to the birds. Saturdays and Sundays presentations are held where you can get some nice photos (as seen in this thread!). Saturdays during the summer months they even have free-flight shows, where you can get buzzed by a Great Horned Owl and others.

Oh - and every spring the Center hosts an event called Photo Wild, where some of the permanent residents are brought out into more natural settings and photographers can get some outstanding shots. The event is closed to the general public, but you still have to make a reservation as it fills up quite quickly (a small fee of course is collected).

But anyways, great shots all around! Sorry to hijack the thread somewhat, just wanted to share some background on the Center.

RandySmugMug

UNCTEP wrote:

My wife and I are volunteers at the Carolina Raptor Center (where these photos were taken). Most of the birds there are brought in after collisions with cars, which I think *don't quote me on this* is what happened to the screech owl. Some are able to be released back into the wild - those whose injuries prevent them from being able to survive in the wild live permanently at the Center and are well cared for. Other raptors that have been brought in are habituated (because someone tried to raise them and now they "think" they are humans and wouldn't survive in the wild), getting caught in barbed-wire fences, babies falling from trees, or worst of all from gunshot wounds inflicted by some serious morons.

If anyone is ever in the Huntersville/Charlotte area it's well worth the $6 admission to be able to get pretty close to the birds. Saturdays and Sundays presentations are held where you can get some nice photos (as seen in this thread!). Saturdays during the summer months they even have free-flight shows, where you can get buzzed by a Great Horned Owl and others.

Oh - and every spring the Center hosts an event called Photo Wild, where some of the permanent residents are brought out into more natural settings and photographers can get some outstanding shots. The event is closed to the general public, but you still have to make a reservation as it fills up quite quickly (a small fee of course is collected).

But anyways, great shots all around! Sorry to hijack the thread somewhat, just wanted to share some background on the Center.

What you guys do at the center is remarkable and most impressive. I became a member after my 1st visit and go often to shoot the birds. Thanks !

RandySmugMug

dbaker1221 wrote:

awesome series!!:ivar

thx Dave