Scarlett (Thursday 21st January 2021)

Scarlett was 20 years old when I first saw her in 2012 and had the privilege of encountering her close up and photographing her for Blip. I used the same image on my debit card.

"It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished Red Kite, Scarlett. She has been a member of our team since 2010 and was best-known for her striking good looks and raucous calling! She was a really cheeky and lively character, and enjoyed keeping our team on their toes. You would often hear her calling to members of our team near her aviary, as well as to nearby wild kites. Scarlett was a wonderful bird to have on our team and will be sorely missed.
"Scarlett lived at a number of other collections before she joined us at the Trust. She was even in the care of Miriam from our Bird Team before she too joined the Trust! In her time with us, she has proven to be an absolute favourite amongst photographers lucky enough to capture her beauty in Photographic Experiences. She has also flown in some of our quieter displays and experiences, preferring smaller groups of people.
Tom Morath, who has most recently been caring for and working closely with Scarlett, said, “I am very sorry indeed to that Scarlett has passed away having worked with her last year for around six months. She was a beautiful bird of experience and true character. She’d look at me with a knowing eye and probably trained me more than I trained her – she’d done it all before! I had the great privilege during that time to fly her in Reg’s Wildflower Meadow just her and I and even a handful of times for our British Bird Encounter. To see her up in the air, alongside her wild counterparts and commanding the sky, was magical. I’ll also miss her morning greeting as I walk to get ready for the day – she always had something to say to anyone who passed by.”
"In the autumn of last year, Scarlett was diagnosed with a heart condition linked with old age. She received treatment for this and responded well. However, just before the New Year she quickly took a turn for the worse and was rushed to our vet. Sadly, there was nothing more that we could do for her and so we took the heart-breaking decision to have her put to sleep." - Hawk Conservancy Trust
L.
21.1.2021 (1138 hr)

Blip #3353 (#3103 + 250 archived blips taken 27.8.1960-18.3.2010)
Consecutive Blip #002
Blips/Extras In 2021 #010/265 + #000/100 Extras
Day #3953 (855 gaps from 26.3.2010)
LOTD #2496 (#2337 + 159 in archived blips)

Art series
Birds Of Prey series
Hawk Conservancy Trust series

Taken with Pentax K-x (White) and Pentax smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II kit lens

Lozarhythm Of The Day:
All About Eve - Scarlet (1989)