It was Mother's Day with Birds of Prey...and the handlers were on the grounds at the Stillman Nature Center, sometimes with the birds in the trees.
This little screech owl was perfect in the hollow of a tree, so well-camouflaged it would have been difficult to see him there if you didn't know.
A handler shows off the Great Horned Owl and answers questions from the onlookers.
I tagged this one incorrectly - it's the Eastern Screech Owl.
A few of the birds, like this Peregrine were noticeably injured. It gave me an appreciation of what the Stillman Nature Center does for the public with these wonderful birds; educates schoolchildren and other groups about birds of prey by allowing people to see them up close, and occasionally outside of their enclosures.
The Barred Owl was a little bit excited and kept flapping its wings.
The Barn Owl--this shot was taken on the side that is not injured. The other wing was noticeably handicapped.
The Broad Winged Hawk is smaller than the Red Tailed Hawk, but similarly in coloration to a juvenile Red Tailed Hawk.
In all, this year Mother's Day with Birds of Prey was quite interesting, and was held on a gorgeous sunny day that I will not soon forget.
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