A bird in the hand

Back in April, I received a unique birthday present: a lesson at the British School of Falconry. Yesterday, Kari and I drove to Manchester, Vermont where I got to play with the hawks.

This is Elsie, an African Tawny Eagle.

She has a 6-foot wingspan but only weighs 4.75 pounds.

A falcon. They’re tiny and mostly only go after airborne prey.

They use hunting dogs in tandem with the hawks. The dog points and the hawk swoops down and catches the prey.

Hawk gloves.

This is the door to my hawk’s room. His name is Hamish.

Me, getting my hawk.

Hamish, close-up.

Those talons can squeeze with 200 pounds of pressure despite the hawk only weighing 1.5 pounds.

My arm out, calling the hawk.

Hamish swooping up to my arm.

Landing.

Eating his little cube of meat.

Ready to throw.

We went on a short walk and Hamish hung out in the trees.

The guide tossed down a decoy made of pheasant wings and Hamish dove for it.

He spreads his wings out to protect his kill.

Hamish on his perch.

Landing on my arm.

Back inside.

Here’s a video I found on YouTube about the British School of Falconry.

The view while driving home.

The British School of Falconry was a super fun experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you, Janis!

What I’m listening to: The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema