I had a unique oppurtunity at work today.

[Codemaster]

I got to hold a "living weapon".

Folks, meet Peach:


She's about 3 years old (I think, I'm not entirely sure.)

Me mugging for the camera, her, not so much.

Why yes, I do have a bird on my arm, why do you make it sound so strange?

She was talking to me I know it...

LUNCH TIME!!!

You eyeballing my food, boyo?

MMmmmmm, chicken legs taste goood...

A little about me and what I do for a living, I work on an airfield (the brightly colored vest should be a clue), as you can imagine birds are a major hazard to the aircraft. So, in order to provide a safe airfield, the airport has a contract with a Falconer(sp?). He takes Peach out to the airfield and let's her scare away the other birds, she doesn't kill them, although she is more than capable; She is a deterrent for the other, non predatory birds that inhabit the airfield, and let me tell you, a 5 minute flight from her provides about 3 hours of bird free zone for the aircraft.

This was an amazing opportunity to see, much less hold her, she is an amazingly beautiful bird.

Hope you guys enjoy!

 

[ManOfMisery]

She is a beautiful animal and that's a pretty nifty and humane way to keep birds away from the place. I bet her handler loves his job.

 

[R.A.T.]

Great pics. Nice post.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I bet she loves her job! I love to watch the raptors fly.

She was talking to me I know it...

She was telling you that if the chicken leg doesn't get here soon, you're lunch.

 

[matthewdanger]

I was hoping that you would break these pics out into its own post so we could talk about them!

What a cool opportunity that was! We have nest of Peregrines in downtown Indianapolis that we love to go and watch. Birds of prey are so interesting.

 

[Mrs.Shotgunner11]

Birds........ugh....they freak me out.

She's pretty but you're crazy for holding her!

 

[TheGame]

That is cool, right there. Thanks for sharing :thumbup:

 

[cordystoy]

Very nice bird, I don't' see the Izula around the neck is it buried in the feathers?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

She has her own natural Izula. She's using it to carve some chicken leg.

 

[tarditi]

Very cool!

 

[Nuke_Spook]

Beautiful bird! What a cool opportunity. Thanks for posting.

 

[Rockywolf]

Very cool. I love raptors. I was lucky one day when sitting in traffic to see a red tailed hawk hit something in the grass next to my car. Didn't get a chance to get a pic! Damn traffic started moving!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[MikeyJ]

She is an awesome bird!! I have also had the pleasure of being near some beautiful birds of prey. I periodically do some volunteer work with The Birds of Prey Foundation here in Colorado. They rehab injured birds for re-release...

...I digress...great post. Thanks for sharing!

 

[David M]

Great pics.

 

[t-k-c]

Nice post! Thanks for sharing!

 

[basb]

Nice shots. Its a Peregrine Falcon, right?
I love birds of prey, especialy these. Awesome birds, the way they hunt is just incredible.
Last sunday i held a Laggar Falcon, it was photographed but i cant find the pic at the moment

 

[Tripton]

That is awesome. I havent seen a falconer, but they have always intrigued me.

 

[shok]

Very cool!:thumbup:

 

[fixer]

gorgeous creature!

i was expecting to see hi-viz/reflective jesses hanging from her legs to match your vest.

slight tangent, but have you seen the hi-viz Camelbak? i have one for use when riding my motorcycle, but it might be nice to have in your AO considering you need to wear the vest.

 

[texastonydobbs]

Great post thanks for sharing...
I always keep an eye out for our local "Hawk" that guards our neighborhood....