Ferruginous Hawk

First of all, has anyone heard anything from, or about, our amazing Flickr friend, Snowinglightly? Today is the 15th day since she suddenly stopped commenting here on Flickr. For years, she has been such a loyal friend, leaving such long, thoughtful and very creative comments on people's photos every single day. To suddenly stop like this, is making me very concerned. The only time I remember her not commenting, for about four days in a row, was when she had ended up in hospital. Fifteen days would be more than enough time to sort out any computer problems or to have to replace a computer, so I don't think that would be a reason. I have left messages in various places, but so far, still don't know any answer. There is still one more thing I can try, to hopefully find out if all is OK and I will post here if I manage to get any information. Meanwhile, if you happen to know, could you PLEASE let me know?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I photographed this spectacular Ferruginous Hawk at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge in southern Alberta, on 3 September 2016. These large hawks are rare to uncommon in Alberta from April to September. I have seen several of them in the wild, which is pretty special, but only from a very long distance and much too far for photos.

This Centre is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, educating the public.

It had been a few years since my last visit there - I had been maybe three or four times - and I had been longing to go back. Much too far and all new driving territory for me to even think about driving there myself. However, on 9 September 2016, that is exactly what I did. A friend had said she would come along, too, but she emailed me at 1:00 am to say that she assumed the trip had been cancelled, as she hadn't heard back about the time to meet. In fact, I had sent two emails giving the time, so I don't know what happened there. Very unfortunate, as it would have been great to have had company on such a long drive and I know she would have had lots of fun with her camera.

I knew it would be a long day and further than I would normally drive - and in a brand new car that I have yet to fully learn to drive! It didn't look or feel quite as new after travelling 481 km! Only got lost twice, one minor and the other major. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere down south and I ended up in the city of Lethbridge, that I had very carefully planned to avoid. After three and three-quarter hours, I finally arrived, to my huge relief.

Despite getting there later than I had hoped, I still had more than enough time to wander round the grounds and photograph the various raptors. Some were tethered out in a couple of grassy areas and others, including this Ferruginous Hawk, were in outdoor cages. Wonderful to get such a close look at the various majestic birds.

I took a slightly different way home via #845 (?) making absolutely sure that I didn't accidentally find myself in Lethbridge again and it wasn't too long before I found myself in the area that I had driven a few weeks before, when I went SW of Vulcan to look for Common NIghthawks (without any luck). Just so happy that I finally made myself do this drive. When I had Googled the Centre's website, I discovered that they were closing two days later for the winter. So, it was either a case of going the next day or not at all till next May onward.

The very next day, 10 September 2016, I took my daughter on a long drive in Kananaskis. This was yet another place that I had longed to be able to drive for many years - and finally I did it! I had been lots of times with various friends, but this was the very first time I had ever done the drive myself.