Swainson's Hawk / Buteo swainsoni, rehabilitation, 2016

            I have still not been able to get out for new photos, so I am adding another five photos from my archives, yet again.  If I wrote a description under a previously posted photo taken on the same outing, I will add it to tonight's uploads.

"This particular bird resides at the Alberta Bird of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta, a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagle.  Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, educating the public.  

It had been a few years since my last visit there - I've 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, three days ago, 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.

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 learn to drive!  It doesn't look or feel quite as new now, 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 grassy area and others were in large 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 ago, 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 Googled the Centre's website a few days ago, 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 onwards.  

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 driven myself."

Taken on: September 9, 2016

Tags:

Alberta

Canada

near Lethbridge

Coaldale

Alberta Birds of Prey Centre

wildlife rehabilitation

captive

nature

ornithology

avian

bird

birds

bird of prey

raptor

hawk

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Order: Falconiformes (or Accipitriformes, q.v.)

Family: Accipitridae

Genus: Buteo

tethered

close-up

front/side view

feathers

texture

outdoor

summer

9 September 2016

Panasonic

Lumix

FZ200

FZ200#4

annkelliott

Anne Elliott

P1050429 « less

Sets appears in: • Alberta Birds of Prey Centre • Birds of Alberta 11 more » • Hawks & Falcons « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • Panasonic FZ series more » • Bird Lovers • PHOTOGRAPHERS OF CANADA • Birds , Birds Birds • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Unlimited Birds • *I Love Birds* • Mad about Owls / Birds of prey • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • The Birds Of Flickr • Birdshare • Birds of the world/ Oiseaux du monde • Panasonic Lumix Lovers • Panasonic LUMIX FZ28/FZ38/FZ40/FZ47/FZ100/FZ150/FZ200/FZ70 • Panasonic FZ 200 - Successor to the FZ 150 « less

Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ200, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, 98.5mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Panasonic DMC-FZ200
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	98.5mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows
Show full info

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