October at the
World Bird Sanctuary has been a very busy month. With special events and a busy travel schedule I have not
had that many photo opportunities.
I did however take
one morning in between storms to take a leisurely walk on WBS property. As staff, sometimes we get so focused
on the area where we work (such as the Nature Center) that we do not stop and
look at the other amazing birds we work with on a daily basis, at least from a
photographer’s perspective. I have
to admit it is a very challenging process to pick just a few photos to feature
here.
Sole, the Peregrine Falcon (photo: Cathy Spahn)
My first favorite
photo is of one of the newest birds on our education team; Solo, the Peregrine
Falcon. Solo is a juvenile
Peregrine Falcon whose egg was laid in a nest in Clayton, Missouri. Before the eggs were hatched the female
falcon suffered a severe wing injury and did not survive. WBS rescued the three eggs and hatched
all three in our incubators. One
baby did not survive; one was placed in the nest of another wild falcon pair
and was fostered by them. Unfortunately, Solo was hatched with a few deformities that
do not allow him to use his feet properly and his beak is slightly askew;
therefore, he has difficulties tearing food. Because he could not be released he will spend his life as
an education bird. He is a great bird and can teach everyone so
much. On this particular morning
when Solo was put outside in the Weathering
Area at the Nature Center, he started flapping his wings, and I took the
opportunity to get some photos. I managed to take this photo of him
with his wings out. This photo was
my favorite from my morning walk.
Rochester, the Common Buzzard (photo: Cathy Spahn)
The next photo I
took a few minutes after photographing Solo is a beautiful photo of
Rochester. Rochester is a Common
Buzzard that is in training to join our education team. Rochester is a sibling to Rodrigo a
Common Buzzard that’s in training for the programs WBS presents at Zoos, theme
parks and aquariums around the nation.
WBS recently also acquired Rochester’s and Rodrigo’s parents. Their parents are interestingly colored; one light colored bird and one dark, almost charcoal
bird. Rodrigo looks like one of
the parents, while Rochester is a very rufous colored bird. His beautiful color just gets more
striking to me by the day. We are currently training him to fly
and he is really becoming an amazing performer.
Tsavo, the Bateleur Eagle (photo: Cathy Spahn)
The last photo I
want to include is of Tsavo, the Bateluer
Eagle. The Bateluer Eagle is
considered to be one of the most colorful eagles in the world. This head shot shows off just some of
that coloration. It also captures
his personality perfectly.
I find that at
times, since I see these birds every day, I sometimes take them for
granted. This kind of walk gives
me a chance to step back and appreciate the beauty
of the animals that I work with every day.
Submitted by Cathy
Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist
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