Captive Raptors

9 09 2009

While going to a Nature Preserve here in the Atlanta area which holds a lot of Raptors, in the beginning i tried very hard to shoot through the fences to make them look as “wild” as possible.
I soon discovered that this is not necessary and sometimes no possible. They are what they are. Captive birds. So from then I though I shoot them in their environment. Captive. With bars.

Since unfortunately some cages had such a fine mesh and some birds where so hidden away – it was close to impossible to get a good shot of them. Even though, here are a few that turned out alright.

Redtail Hawk

Redtail Hawk

Turkey Vulture (I think female)

Turkey Vulture (I think female)

Turkey Vulture (I think male)

Turkey Vulture (I think male)

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

I have to say that the Bald Eagle above is my favorite as a bird – I think I never gotten as close to one before; primarily I have only seen them in Florida. Their eyes are truly piercing. This fella had a young one in there as well but it did not want to show itself.