Pictures Raptor Center visit Pt 1(Kestrel)

[April]

So as many of yall know I'm a massive Raptor fan and can't get enough of them. I found out just the other day much to my delight that literally 20 mins away is a Raptor rehabilitation center! They do educational shows with some of the Raptors they've saved and also have various wings and feet from passed away raptors to use to educate and I can't believe it that I was able to get to hold the wings and feet of a Red-Tailed Hawk,Red Shouldered Hawk,Eastern Screech Owls Grey and Red Morph and a Great Horned Owl. Even though it was sad to know they are no longer here it was absolutely amazing to get to hold these and to feel the power that these Raptors have. I have pics but they wouldn't be appropriate to share I don't imagine but it was a once in a lifetime chance and I'm grateful for it.
But now onto the pictures! They brought out 5 different species and this was the first an absolutely stunning little male Kestrel names Wilbur. He was mesmerizing and at one point when his handler was walking him around she literally stopped a foot away from me and he was a looking right into my soul . I took hundreds of pics of each species these are just a few of my absolute favorites. @Mizzely @Peachfaced @ChromeScholar @NightOwls @BluJay

 

[Mizzely]

How can something so fierce be so cute! You got great shots!

 

[April]

How can something so fierce be so cute! You got great shots!

Thanks! Oh man I know! I seriously wanted to scritch his little cheeks.

 

[Xoetix]

Where do you live and can I start coming with you places?? This is so cool!

 

[April]

Where do you live and can I start coming with you places?? This is so cool!

Lol! That would be so fun to go with a fellow AA'er.
I'm near Dallas this is in a smaller town called Lucas.

 

[Xoetix]

Lol! That would be so fun to go with a fellow AA'er.
I'm near Dallas this is in a smaller town called Lucas.

Dang! That's a whole 'nother time zone if I get down that way though I'm giving you a call!

 

[April]

Dang! That's a whole 'nother time zone if I get down that way though I'm giving you a call!

Yay! And don't worry ill have plenty more pics to share. I'm still going through them all

 

[owlsthetic]

Wow I absolutely love kestrels! Amazing shots!

 

[April]

Wow I absolutely love kestrels! Amazing shots!

Thanks so much! They are a favorite species of mine as well.

 

[Shezbug]

So beautiful

 

[April]

So beautiful

He really is,I was just in awe of his beauty the whole time.

 

[Kassiani]

They are such pretty, little raptors! I love watching them on the family farm.

 

[April]

They are such pretty, little raptors! I love watching them on the family farm.

They are so tiny but mighty. I see them all the time on telephone poles as we are going down the highway so I can never stop. I've only managed to get a single semi decent pic when we were going down a road by some shopping areas and I in a literally 3 second look noticed one sitting on a low billboard that just happened to be by a parking lot. We pulled in and I crept over there as quickly as I could but he took off like a shot and it was before I got my better camera so I just had my lower quality point and shoot but still I'm grateful!

 

[Lady Jane]

The prettiest of all Falcons.

 

[April]

The prettiest of all Falcons.

Absolutely agree! Those face markings are so stunning.

 

[zoo mom]

What a beauty.