![\"gyrfalcon](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gyrfalcon-3276-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f\/4 II, 1.4 tc<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n First a recap.\u00a0 On January 20, 2014 a sighting of a possible Snowy Owl was reported at Mick Riley Golf Course in Murray, Utah.\u00a0 Naturally it generated incredible interest in the local birding community but by the following morning it was confirmed to be a white Gyrfalcon with attached falconry gear.\u00a0 That afternoon I joined a phalanx of birders, photographers and bird lovers in watching, photographing and simply appreciating this\u00a0stunning raptor.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/2000, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f\/4 II<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n The Gyrfalcon was calm and approachable as it perched on a power pole adjacent to the golf course.\u00a0\u00a0Several times it flew off and circled the area but it\u00a0usually returned to this pole.\u00a0 I include this “butt shot” to highlight the\u00a0spectacular dorsal markings of the bird.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f\/4 II<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n This bird obviously needed to be captured because of the danger of entanglement presented by the attached jesses – HawkWatch International to the rescue!\u00a0 Mike Shaw from HWI eventually\u00a0captured the bird and\u00a0took it to a safe and appropriate location until the birds owner\/handler could be located and a decision made as to its eventual fate.\u00a0\u00a0The three year old female weighed 1427 grams and was healthy and well cared\u00a0for.\u00a0 Her halluces had been filed down and her bill was ready to be coped but had not been neglected.\u00a0 Here the falcon is investigating a bal chatri trap just out of frame to the left.<\/p>\n Tracking down the owner of this bird wasn’t easy (understatement!)\u00a0but eventually it was determined that the falcon had escaped from a local falconer by chewing through its leash a day or two before it was spotted at the golf course.\u00a0 Once it was confirmed that the falconer had legal possession of the bird and all of his permits were in order (the falcon\u00a0had been purchased from a breeder in Idaho)\u00a0the bird was returned to him.\u00a0 He was delighted to get his falcon back.<\/p>\n Once again HWI has provided a valuable service to our raptors and to the birding\/falconry community.\u00a0 I’m definitely a fan and have been for some time.\u00a0 Their mission is to “conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health”.\u00a0 As a retired teacher I especially support the “education” part.\u00a0 If you’re interested here’s a link <\/a>to more information about their mission, history and goals.<\/p>\n I believe they deserve our support, financial and otherwise.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is my promised update on the eventual outcome of the recent escaped white Gyrfalcon saga.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n