March 9, 2019

The Release of a Red Tailed Hawk

The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center rehabilitates more than 2,000 birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians a year. Last year we visited their rescue facility in Boyce.


This morning they released a red tailed hawk which had recovered from an injury resulting from a collision with a car. About 20 people gathered outside the North Warren Fire Department to watch the release. After a brief talk, a wildlife veterinarian opened the crate that held the bird.

He came out so quickly I didn't even see him until he took flight! He flew low at first but he was headed for the trees.




He landed on top of a tree and was kind enough to pose for his admirers. Some took pictures with cell phones, and some had cameras with long lenses. I had my Sony with a little zoom lens, but next time I hope to bring a longer lens, providing I practice with it first. I did remember to set the camera on a multi-shot sports mode so that it took three frames every time I pressed the shutter. This helped me capture action shots, although I think it sacrificed sharpness since the light was not very bright.

After everyone had time to take a few pictures, he flew out of sight. 

Sharing with Saturday's Critters and The Bird D'Pot.

12 comments:

  1. Lucky you! What an amazing experience!

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  2. Hello, I am so happy the Red-tailed Hawk survived and was released. That is a happy thing to watch, the hawk fly away! Thank you for linking up! Have a happy day and a great new week. PS, thanks for the comment on m blog.

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  3. I LOVED THIS!! Hope the hawk lives a long, happy life.

    Thanks so much for sharing this post with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'

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  4. Good news to see and hear about a rehabilitated wild bird. And that's cute that he stopped to let everyone take his picture!

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  5. always fun to be part of the action and release

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  6. What a wonderful experience!

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  7. Wonderful to see the bird back where it belongs.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. Wonderful!
    Have a great week!

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  9. Nice pictures. Those who work with injured animals and bring them back to health do good work.

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