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Willow

© Nikki McDonald

Willow

Uploaded: October 05, 2010

Description

This beautiful broad-winged hawk had a broken wing; although it has healed, she cannot be released to the wild. She is cared for by Raptor Recovery Nebraska and used in their education programs; here she is on the gloved hand of a volunteer.
Re-submission Feb 9, 2011
Category: Animals

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 10000/1000000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400,400, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: DSLR-A350

Comments

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic October 05, 2010

What a beautiful bird. I feel sorry for them when they can't fly. I had a little bitty wren fly into my window last week and she was on the ground with one wing sticking out at a strange angle..I thought it was broken, but she flew off the next time I went out to check on her..a little wobbly, but flying anyway. I hope she made it. #1314679

Michelle Alton October 05, 2010

Gorgeous capture, Nikki...and I have a story too. There was a little bird with its head stuck in our feeder....the type that is weighted so that it closes the door for large birds and animals... Well somehow this little bird was completely stuck. I couldn't get it out, and then thought I would have to break its neck to free it. I gave it one more tug, and out it came...and flew off immediately. Whew! #8948345

Nikki McDonald level-classic October 05, 2010

Great stories, Carolyn and Michelle -- thanks for adding them and I'm so glad they both had happy endings :) #8948353

R. J. Laudenbacher level-classic October 05, 2010

Wonderful shot of this beauty Nikki. They are so fascinating and to get to see them this close up is so rare. Your details and DOF on this shot is perfect as well as your colors. Excellent work. #8948365

Aimee S. McMaster October 05, 2010

...poor baby....awesome clarity & dof Nikki....how happy she'll be when she heals! #8948383

Monnie Ryan October 05, 2010

She's beautiful -- glad she has someone (or several someones) to take care of her! Terrific detail! #8948564

Linda D. Lester level-classic October 05, 2010

I think the people that work at these places are wonderful! They do a great job! Wonderful shot! #8948688

Dominick M. Dimacale level-addict October 05, 2010

Great animal image here, Nikki!


Dominick #8948925

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna October 05, 2010

Nikki! This is a magnificent image of this beautiful raptor! Incredible details and lighting! :-) k #8950255

Ken Smith level-classic October 06, 2010

I agree with Carolyn on this, and it's super they can be used for educational programs. Excellent work, Nikki! #8950783

Mitch Spence level-classic October 06, 2010

The raptor recovery organizations do such great work and care so well for those that can't be returned to the wild. This is a strong and vital portrait of this bird, with great detail. I like the inclusion of her perch here, which I believe is a falconer's glove. #8951534

Nikki McDonald level-classic October 06, 2010

Thank you all -- yes, these groups perform a wonderful service.
Every year my husband and I follow through a webcam the breeding and nesting cycle of Hera and Zeus, a pair of peregrine falcons that live in downtown Omaha. In 2008, shortly after two of the pair's five eggs hatched, Hera was injured in a battle over territory with another falcon. She was taken to Raptor Recovery Nebraska to receive medical attention and rehabilitate from her injuries. Unfortunately, despite Zeus' efforts, the two eyas died and the remaining eggs did not hatch. Hera was released in the fall and returned to the nest.
Mitch is right, of course -- this hawk is on her handler's gloved hand. I have added that information to the description. #8951741

Patti Coblentz October 10, 2010

She is so beautiful...I'm so glad she is safe and in good hands. Wonderful image and information, Nikki...thanks for sharing this good, and heart warming story. #8957462

MELODIE C. ROBERTS February 09, 2011

Gorgeous capture NiK #9223459

Kim Andelkovic February 19, 2011

Amazing clarity Nikki......awesome image :-) #9249449

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