I wonder if someone stole the owl expecting to set it free, then discovered that the bird couldn't fly (and would have to be fed if kept in captivity). It's the sort of action that could have done with good intentions, but not enough knowledge. In any case, I'm very glad the owl is safely back. Claire

ok, i have waited this long because i couldn't narrow it down. my first love at a raptor dates back to kindergarten- the bald eagle. actually it is pretty "ironic": i can remember asking my mom for a quarter to "help save the bald eagles" i don't know if it was the teacher, or if it was the school, but i remember i needed to take it to class. so, here i was 30 years later, fighting development of plum island as a preserve for their winter and nesting sight. i am proof that educating children and raising their awareness works! now, on the other extreme, i just love the kestrel. this is strange for me because i am a "bigger the better" kind of person- irish wolfhound definitely preferred over a small dg, give me a horse- make it a "heavy horse" there is just something about the spirit of the bird being bigger than its size. i really think they have taht warrior spirit despite that apparant fragility i have heard of when kept captive. although i have never had experience with them. owl are just too tough to decide between. again, the raptors seem to win me over despite size- oh, that screech owl's song! a am partial to barn owls simply because ot the endangered/threatened status. i have never seen one! the great horned does win over the barred, but that doesn't make the barred any less "endearing." i do like the turkey vulture, too. so that about sums it up (love red tails in flight calls, they are always saying something) i ahven't gone in to many species. mostly i am trying to stick to the ones of my area. but, the harpy eagle, now there is a magnificent bird! anyone see jeff corwin with the harpy on his arm? it kept pecking his head. i say pecking because with that kind of strenght it was more like a love tap!

Yep, Red-tailed Hawk. Dark head, pale breast, dark belly. -O-

>>Shanachiel, it's the "Dorothy" rule of birding (from the >>>Wizard of Oz : ) Ok, what does that mean exactly? LOL No place like home? If only a Snowy Owl and saw whet would show up and a barn owl take up residence in my barn, I'd be quite content! What's interesting is we are about 20 miles east of the Hudson River but there are extensive wetlands in the area...I saw a bald eagle flying east away from the river one morning several years ago and never forgot that sight- the wingspan - wow! Sometimes Golden Eagles winter just north of me at a glacier pond but I don't think there have been any sightings yet this season. I tried on numerous occasions to try to see them last winter. Guess I am really hooked now! I'm definitely going to be spending more time at that swamp..... If you back out of the eagle photo page, you'll enter my main bird gallery from an afternoon at the Hudson Valley Raptor Center. Several of their resident rehabbed birds (who are used to being "on display" for educational purposes) are presented for a photo op. To be able to get fairly close and look in to their eyes..... Here is a link that might be useful: HUDSON VALLEY RAPTOR CENTER