Some of the raptors at Hawk Quest travel to classrooms and other venues for events. Yesterday's photo shoot was held in a park. The birds that are taken out wear hoods for their protection and to calm them if they become overstimulated. The raptor's leather hoods are made specifically for them to designs dating from medieval times. This hooded red-tailed hawk looks like he stepped from a tapestry rather than sitting on the gauntlet of a jeans-clad handler in a sweatshirt.
FAV, Kathleen! Perplexing as an image I couldn't instantly recognize, but your explanation helped make clear . . . and what a beautifully captured image photographically! Such perfect exposure, which is what I've been struggling with lately.
@jyokota Thank you very much for your comment! I was quite fascinated by the hoods on the birds and asked the handlers about them. Each one is a different design and made to measure for that bird.
Fav for a really great shot! (I could do with one of these sometimes when I'm out and about so as not to get overstimulated - but not when driving the car!!)
Beautifully captured and the colours in the hood make it even more striking - I love the idea that each hood is made for a particular bird. The detail and focus is wonderful.
So cool -- I once was on a plane to Colorado and the Air Force Academy's falcon mascot was sitting in the back of the plane with its handler, wearing a similar hood. Your shot really captures it well.
