Falconry display at Lowther Show

[Mike Bell]

Terry Large is the Chairman of Campaign for Falconry and a nicer man you could not meet. He got a bunch of kids into the arena at Lowther Show two weeks ago and here he is in action:

http://static.flickr.com/69/221404472_21f8b58ee8_o.jpg

Later he saw me outside the ring and held up this beautiful bird for me to get a shot:

http://static.flickr.com/73/221404476_d245240492_o.jpg

I'm ashamed to say I've forgotten what bird it is. Please ID it for me, someone! :o

[Dimitri_V]

Not 100% sure Mike but i think its a Harris hawk.

[Sindri Skulason]

Very good shots. The second one is my favorite although the look on the boys face in the first one is priceless. :-)

[Anthony J Howe]

I'm not an expert on the ID of the bigger birds of prey, so I will leave that for others to comment. Though it looks to me to be the Harris Hawk too.
But considering these shots Mike they are excellent. The second one is outstanding, nice one, well done.

[Mike Bell]

Thank you all. I'm very pleased with that second one especially as I had no time to consider the potential exposure problems of a darkish subject set against the sky. The exposure compensation was probably set at my usual -0.33 so in the right direction I suppose. Metering was evaluative which seems to have worked well. The main reason for success is probably the relative darkness of our UK skies!

Is it definitely a Harris Hawk?

[Reyno]

Very nice shots Mike. I love those facial expressions on #1 especially the boy's reaction.