GKPE: Portrait of Native NZ Falcon,

While in Rotorua we also went to www.wingspan.co.nz which is the only breeding and recovery centre in New Zealand for birds of Prey.
We only have 3 species left, the rarest being the New Zealand Falcon.
About the size of a Peregrine Falcon, and almost as fast there are only about 2,500 left in the wild here.
Wingspan works to rehabilitate and re-introduce birds found injured, or chicks with out mothers, and also uses tradional faconary techniques to train the birds to hunt and fly, building up thier strength again etc.


This beautiful bird is name Daimond, and was raised from an Egg. She was going to be released but developed a beak deformity that would not allow her to survive in the wild. So she has become a display bird, and at 2pm everyday goes out with a trainer for a flying and hunting display, and then finnishs by taking turns sitting on everyones arm. Which is how I was able to get these shots.

Enoy:

These are really nice Moppie!

I have to say for some reason I am drawn to the second image,. the upward angle of it's sightline intrigues me for some reason.. even though the first image is a more "classic" profile.

Very nice.

shes a lovely bird.

I like the 2nd shot the best

Pretty shots Moppie, pays to always carry that camera.

Great shots Moppie. Love the last one!

Love the pose in the second one.

She's a real beauty and you've done her proud with these portraits.

Very nice portraits of a beautiful bird. Well done.

Thank you guys!


I to am very happy with the 2nd one, I think it might because of the slightly differnt angle, prehaps makes the bird look taller and more majestic.
Although both the first two images were taken only 3 seconds apart according to the exif.

All very nice but my vote goes to the last shot. The upward angle and the birds domain of a nice blue sky in the background works really well.

Moppie, I like the 2nd one... nice pics.

Cheers!

She looks like a complete darling in those shots, Moppie

I especially favour the 3rd photo

And she was a complete Darling

Where are your photos from the weekend?

Im going to send copies of these to Wingspan, and might even try and sell some prints, and send some of the profit to them as well.

On my PC - which was shoved out of the way so someone else could take advantage of the jetstream... my PC hasn't had a chance to boot up all week.

I'll attempt a hostile take-over of the ADSL tonight and post some. But as usual, the calibre of the shots pales in comparison to everyone elses

Luck on what might come from sending wingspan shots