10,000 Birds

JUNE 14, 2011

Dirt hawking is a form of falconry that involves hunting rabbits and other small game with Harris Hawks (other hawk species also qualify). One of the primary reasons that these hawks make such excellent falconry birds is because they are one of only two raptor species (the other is the Galapagos Hawk ) that hunt cooperatively.

League Against Cruel Sports 270

League Against Cruel Sports Rabbits Falcons Hunting 270

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

You typically do not find a bird this naked or featherless outside of the nest unless there has been a storm or the nest has been attacked by predator like a raccoon, chipmunk, squirrel or corvids. That’s an old wives’ tale that says bird won’t take care of a baby bird with a human smell on it–not true at all.

Birds 266

Birds Fox Raised Ducks 266

10,000 Birds

MAY 30, 2019

Raised in and around the West Texas steppe country where temperatures reached 100 degrees with regularity, he began life as the Dust Bowl and Great Depression converged. Except for the falconer’s jesses and bell, they were to be allowed freedom to pursue life in the wild, life with minimal human contact. He came for the hawks.

Falcons 203

Falcons California Condor Alaska Texas 203

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2015

There’s a Three-striped Palm Squirrel by the side of the track, while Jungle Bush Quails are running across it in front of our Maruti Gypsy, almost the official safari vehicle of India. The closer one raises her head, than lies back. Telia yawns, raises and sprays her urine on a dead tree stump, marking her territory.

Tigers 257

Tigers India Killing 2012 257

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2021

I’ve noted at least nine species of reptiles and amphibians, even our native opossum and squirrel. Thankfully, they now have a home here where they can court, build their nest, and raise their young. Sometimes this Merlin ‘s mate comes to check him out, but for most of the northern winter he hunts solo.

Opossums 264

Opossums Barn Owls Hunting Reptiles 264