That brings back great memories – I used to fly gliders. Twice I’ve thermally with NZ native falcons (Kārearea – https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/sites/all/files/1200303IMG_5531.JPG), and a few times with Harrier Hawks. Fantastic creatures. I suspect that keeping an opportunistic hunting outlook is a natural behaviour, but the head movements I see in that video actually look natural from a pilots perspective. the bird is keeping a good lookout and especially in the direction to which it will turn next. Glorious video.
I miss it a lot. It’s an incredible sport when done well. mentally and physically stressful, but also immensely rewarding. Some of my greatest moments of zen, exhilaration, joy, glee, wonder and dread have been while flying in the mountains. Sometimes all in one flight and sometimes within moments of each other. I feel very lucky and privileged to have had that space in my life.
This video comes from an outfit in Scotland called Elite Falconry: https://www.elitefalconry.com/
They offer a full range of falconry-related services, from pest control to “weddings” (not sure I want to know about that one!).
I know, that’s why I included the tweet that credits Elite Falconry.
Peter N, getting owls and whatnot to deliver the rings at weddings is a thing, apparently.
I’m in West Wales at the moment and you can’t be outside for more than ten minutes without seeing a red kite. I’m almost starting to get used to it.
You don’t really think of the bird constantly turning its head in flight but of course it does, got to find shit to kill. Very interesting.
That brings back great memories – I used to fly gliders. Twice I’ve thermally with NZ native falcons (Kārearea – https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/sites/all/files/1200303IMG_5531.JPG), and a few times with Harrier Hawks. Fantastic creatures. I suspect that keeping an opportunistic hunting outlook is a natural behaviour, but the head movements I see in that video actually look natural from a pilots perspective. the bird is keeping a good lookout and especially in the direction to which it will turn next. Glorious video.
I often see people flying gliders over Puget Sound from here. It looks like SO much fun, except that “fun” doesn’t do it justice.
I miss it a lot. It’s an incredible sport when done well. mentally and physically stressful, but also immensely rewarding. Some of my greatest moments of zen, exhilaration, joy, glee, wonder and dread have been while flying in the mountains. Sometimes all in one flight and sometimes within moments of each other. I feel very lucky and privileged to have had that space in my life.
Amazing bird, very cool landscape.
Yes, the head turning is really neat. Also, apart from a bit of obvious flapping at the 1:00 mark, this seems to be entirely soaring flight. Way cool!