Birds of Alberta 3

Is this the Red-tailed Hawk again? Or is it a Rough-legged Hawk? I think it's the former. I knew I was going to get mixed up with the various hawks! On Monday, I spent a wonderful day with a friend who had asked if I'd like to go to the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge, southern Alberta. It was just over a two-hour drive there and the temperature down south was 37C (98.6F)! They have injured birds there and they use them for educational purposes or to release back into the wild if possible. This Centre is "Canada’s largest birds of prey facility. Situated on a 70-acre wetland area site, the centre is a celebration of nature featuring the hawks, falcons, eagles and owls of Alberta. Throughout the site and along the pathways, a number of birds of prey are sitting on their perches only feet away from visitors. These birds are all in various stages of training and receive lots of exercise in the daily flying programs. At the centre, they have one of North America's largest captive breeding populations for the endangered Burrowing Owl."

This is a juvenile Great Horned Owl. One week ago, I spent a wonderful day with a friend who had asked if I'd like to go to the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge, southern Alberta. It was just over a two-hour drive there and the temperature down south was 37C (98.6F)! They have injured birds there and they use them for educational purposes or to release back into the wild if possible. This Centre is "Canada’s largest birds of prey facility. Situated on a 70-acre wetland area site, the centre is a celebration of nature featuring the hawks, falcons, eagles and owls of Alberta. Throughout the site and along the pathways, a number of birds of prey are sitting on their perches only feet away from visitors. These birds are all in various stages of training and receive lots of exercise in the daily flying programs. At the centre, they have one of North America's largest captive breeding populations for the endangered Burrowing Owl."

This photo shows the dark bib that a Swainson's Hawk has, and also the white wing linings contrasting with the dark flight feathers. Just over a week ago, I spent a wonderful day with a friend who had asked if I'd like to go to the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge, southern Alberta. It was just over a two-hour drive there and the temperature down south was 37C (98.6F)! They have injured birds there and they use them for educational purposes or to release back into the wild if possible. This Centre is "Canada’s largest birds of prey facility. Situated on a 70-acre wetland area site, the centre is a celebration of nature featuring the hawks, falcons, eagles and owls of Alberta. Throughout the site and along the pathways, a number of birds of prey are sitting on their perches only feet away from visitors. These birds are all in various stages of training and receive lots of exercise in the daily flying programs. At the centre, they have one of North America's largest captive breeding populations for the endangered Burrowing Owl."

This is one of two month-old Burrowing Owls seen at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, in southern Alberta. They were in a large plastic tub inside the Visitor Centre and they were taken out and placed on the floor for us. This little guy/gal came and pecked at my shoe and my finger! The cutest little things! Just over a week ago, I spent a wonderful day with a friend who had asked if I'd like to go to the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge, southern Alberta. It was just over a two-hour drive there and the temperature down south was 37C (98.6F)! They have injured birds there and they use them for educational purposes or to release back into the wild if possible. This Centre is "Canada’s largest birds of prey facility. Situated on a 70-acre wetland area site, the centre is a celebration of nature featuring the hawks, falcons, eagles and owls of Alberta. Throughout the site and along the pathways, a number of birds of prey are sitting on their perches only feet away from visitors. These birds are all in various stages of training and receive lots of exercise in the daily flying programs. At the centre, they have one of North America's largest captive breeding populations for the endangered Burrowing Owl."

I think the Red-tailed Hawk has such beautiful brown eyes! Seen at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre in southern Alberta, a two-hour drive from here.

A very distant shot, unfortunately! I'm out of practice when it comes to identifying birds, after months of photographing flowers : ). I THINK this is a Solitary Sandpiper, but please correct me if I'm wrong!

Saw this Merlin at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre in southern Alberta on 23rd July.

This is a Ferruginous Hawk at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre in southern Alberta. These birds are rare to uncommon in Alberta from April to September. I have seen several of them in the wild, which is pretty special.

This majestic, powerful bird is at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre in southern Alberta, outside but tethered.