Great Grey Owl

Today I had a wonderful day at Gauntlet Birds of Prey Centre in Knutsford. It was a birthday present that I had to postpone earlier in the year and it worked out perfectly. 
Gauntlet are the largest BOP centre in the NW with over 180 birds with their main aim being to raise awareness of birds of prey, how they live, hunt and feed. Conservation and education is really important to them and they visit many schools and groups in the area bringing some of their residents with them. Yesterday they held a Vulture Awareness Day that was very successful and raised a huge amount for the fund for vulture conservation. 

It was HOT HOT HOT today and some of the birds weren't really in the mood for flying (and who can blame them?) so we did more static shots than birds in flight. 
Of course I took hundreds of shots and it will take me quite a while to go though them all. One of my favourite birds of the day was this Great Grey Owl called Lumpy!  We don't get them in the UK. He was a bit scruffy as he's just coming out of moult so not looking at his best, but he was still a fabulous looking bird. 

Other favourites were the Golden Eagle and Long Eared Owl (extras).