Animal Rapture
No time to write much; I am sitting in a stairwell right after the seminar.. (what a WONDERFUL group of people to talk with!)– no internet access in the room, castles not being designed for high speed internet. The seminar was a great experience for me, truly a lovely, lovely group of people. Thanks Action 4 Dogs for bringing us over.
I may be off line for several days, but here are a few photos of our experience at the Falconry Center at Dalhousie Castle outside of Edinburgh. The birds are carefully trained to fly to the arms of visitors rather than the staff, so you can go out, hold up your arm (leather covered of course) and watch a hawk (Common Buzzard) and Eagle Owl fly 100 yards from a tree perch to your arm. It is a RUSH beyond belief. I could have done it all day.
Here are just a few photos of me and Jim with the Eagle owl.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Wow. Too cool.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Beautiful, thanks for posting. How lucky for you! Thought they were horned?
September 11th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
I’m so envious! Watching predatory birds work always takes me back into the pages of “The Once and Future King.”
September 11th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
What an awesome experience! I’m glad you are enjoying Scotland. I’ve made it to England (London and the coast), but have yet to have the pleasure of Scotland.
What beautiful photos!
September 12th, 2011 at 4:46 am
So pleased you’ve loved Scotland as much as Scotland has loved having you. Hope you’ll visit us again.
September 12th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Wow. Just wow. There is something just so heart-stoppingly beautiful about seeing a raptor in flight. To see one swooping toward ME? I can only dream. What a wonderful experience, thank you so much for sharing it.
September 12th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
What a WONDERFUL seminar! I’m still regaling my husband all the bits and pieces I remember. I think at this point he wishes I’d shut up about dogs’ emotions and the amygdala!
September 12th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Such a gorgeous bird! I used to volunteer at the Raptor Center in Fort Collins Colorado for 6 years and had birds of prey present at my wedding.
@Chloe, they are “horned” but feathers that make up the look of the horns can be flattened against the side of the head, you can kind of see them in the photo with Jim. When they are on alert they will perk them up to help blend them better into their background (up against the trunk of a tree while they perch on a branch), but they can flatten them completely, too.
September 12th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Fantastic experience. I did the same one at Dalhousie a few years ago – thought the eagle owl would be heavy and was really surprised when he wasn’t. Glad you enjoyed your stay.
September 12th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Wow. That’s ab-so-lutely incredible.
September 12th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I agree! WOW! It must be such a great feeling to be so close to a raptor… yes i am a bit jalous too.
Scotland is a marvellous place.
Very sad for not having been able to attend the seminar… very very sad. Glad the experience was good for all of you
September 12th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I can only echo what the Jane above has said. Thank you for such an informative, entertaining and inspirational seminar. I hope you have a fantastic time at the trials. Herding trials along with the background of the Lakes is a sure recipe for a good time
September 12th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Thoughts in order of appearance. WOW… Scary Wow… BIG bird… And I thought MY dog’s toenails were hard to trim – getta look at those talons
Hope the rest of your trip is as wonderful.
September 12th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
That is soo amazing, Bet it was a hoot! (pun intended.)
September 12th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I worked with raptors years ago and it is truly awe inspiring to see them up close and personal. Most of the ones I handled were no longer able to fly due to injury. I envy you having one just fly up and sit a spell.
September 12th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
wow! what a wonderful experience! I am fascinated by falconry, and raptors in general.
September 12th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
My niece, age 22, would go WILD over this — she’s in pre-vet school, aiming to be an avian veterinarian.
The pictures are wonderful. Jim and that bird look like they’ve spent a few lifetimes together — so connected and comfortable. Makes me wish I could hear the conversation.
September 14th, 2011 at 7:58 am
A video I’ve just seen, not like experiencing it but… still beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37MNE8tOBG4&feature=player_embedded#!
September 14th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Thanks Beki.
September 15th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Beautiful!
September 20th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Eagle Owl – wow! I just love the look of the owl crouching on your fist. Looks like she is about to take off.
Their eyes are intense! Quite different from our North American Owls. Cincinnatti Zoo has an Eagle Owl in their noctornal animals room.