Peregrine Falcon

As promised today is a bird of prey. About 500 pics to choose from today! This is probably not the best but I had to choose just one. The course was at the Birds of Prey Centre near Bedford. In the morning we were able to take close up portraits of several birds ranging in size from this to a bald eagle. In the afternoon we had the opportunity to try to capture the birds in flight. This was much more challenging and many more out of focus than acceptable shots. We were not in the centre for this but a mile away in a large field. The handler had the bait and stood behind us so that the birds came in low over our heads. Unfortunately this was a problem - my telephoto lens does not focus down below about 8ft - and my standard lens was in the car at the centre! Anyway here is a shot of a Great Grey Owl coming in fast - wingspan of about 6ft!