I got to spend the first beautiful spring day outside chasing hawks with falconer Carolyn Standlee-Hanson, of Phoenix Fire Falconry, her husband Richard, and friend Barbara O’Brien (Barbara O’Brien Photography). What a fantastic way to usher in spring. Thank you to all involved. It was a splendid day. Here are some of the day’s favorites.

“Sassy” (a Harris’s Hawk) and Carolryn. Ready for flight.

This is “Hit-Girl” she’s a young Red-Tailed Hawk

If you look closely here you can see the Third Eyelid (nictitating membrane)

A close up of the Eyelid

Another shot that shows the Eyelid (here it is only half covering the eye)

Close-up #2

For a couple weeks now I’ve been photographing a Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Here are some of my favorites.