wonky but I-like-'em raptor shots + cactus love

 Some not classic, but interesting, shots, from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Barn owl getting settled. I think this one is my favorite.

 

Grey hawk taking off.

Harris's hawk, looking bad-a$$.

Am at Big Bend NP, right now. Had to do a SUPER quick thing for work,

which is why I'm indoors at 10 a.m. =)

And, since I was already online, thought I'd fling up a few more shots.

Today's parting shot is from Big Bend: a cactus valentine.

I posted a lame-but-it-counts shot of my first Mexican Jay on facebook,

if you want to see it. Beautiful bird!

Now, I'm off to see what my Nikon and I can find.

Cheers! xobb

Professional killers: you know you love them (3 avian, 1 mammal)

From today at the Arizon-Sonora Desert Museum (in Tucson, AZ)

And yes, it's the COOLEST PLACE EVER (& less than $15!).

Gray hawk (Buteo nitidus) 

All raptor shots taken during the Raptor Free Flight show.

Barn owl (Tyto alba) 

Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus),

blooming ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in background.

Apparently Harris's hawks frequently hunt in packs (2 or 3 family members).

By the way, on sheer looks alone, I decided years ago this was my favorite hawk. 

Now that I know they hunt cooperatively, they're not just another pretty face. =)

Mountain lion (Puma concolor).

It was about 10 minutes after we saw this individual

move to its more cave-like location

that I realized that during its entire route,

it didn't make a single sound.

None.

Professional killers--

SO good at what they do.

=)

And anything that can survive Homo sapiens impresses me.

What you don't want to see, stumbling in the dark toward the bathroom at 3 a.m.:

Nice kitty.

=)

These were all exciting, beautiful, complex, amazing creatures.

I feel SO privileged that I got to see them so closely.

Today was a fabulous day!

xoxobb