Above slide show of 9 images was taken on December 23rd on the Saanich Peninsula.
The star of this show is Khaleesi, a beautiful white Gryfalcon. These images show a training flight where a drone lifts the lure (with enclosed food packet) up a few hundred feet. Khaleesi is set free and she wings her way upward in wide circles until she gets to the lure, then grabs it and pulls it back down to earth. (The small parachute helps by creating some resistance so the lure and bird come down in the field where the handler is located. Its amazing to watch in person.
The star of this show is Khaleesi, a beautiful white Gryfalcon. These images show a training flight where a drone lifts the lure (with enclosed food packet) up a few hundred feet. Khaleesi is set free and she wings her way upward in wide circles until she gets to the lure, then grabs it and pulls it back down to earth. (The small parachute helps by creating some resistance so the lure and bird come down in the field where the handler is located. Its amazing to watch in person.
Photo slide show above is a Peregrine Falcon named Tibba. (Dec 23 2023 Saanich Peninsula) Falcons typically hunt their prey while airborne so again the training is done via the drone and bird-like lure. The Peregrine is the fastest creature on planet earth (can achieve speeds of 300 km/hr or 185mph)
Please allow me to introduce REM ... He is a magnificent American Goshawk. These photos also taken on Dec 23rd as he wings his way around a small farm. These birds are known for their phenomenal agility while chasing prey through tangles of branches. Incredible creature.
4th flight of Dec 23rd... This is Strawberry (Harris Hawk) A large powerful raptor capable of taking rabbits and medium sized game birds.
*** Note you will see tiny bells attached to all these birds legs. The ringing helps the falconer keep track of their birds when out of sight*
*** Note you will see tiny bells attached to all these birds legs. The ringing helps the falconer keep track of their birds when out of sight*
Strawberry above in hot pursuit of a partridge
Meet Strawberry .. A beautiful Harris Hawk
Photos above taken on November 7th 2023 in N Saanich
