Reward at conclusion of its performance

My second back blip from our trip on the Ghan. It took me quite some time and thought to go through the photos I took on Day 2 of the trip, when we stopped at Alice Springs, and went to the Alice Springs Desert Park. This is a conservation oriented park where they are encouraging regrowth of the vegetation, and helping birds to re-establish.

They have trained a number of birds which free fly, and perform for the customers. The first one (a kite) flew too fast for me to get decent photos, as did the later eagle. The Australasian Masked Owl was more sedate, and was more prepared to be seen with enough light to allow halfway decent photos.

I have included as an extra, a photo of an Australian Hobby. We were treated to an exceptional display of fast flying by this small falcon, which was eventually allowed to catch the whirling "prey", and at that point also allowed the trainer to hold it on his gloved hand. A beautiful wee bird; too much shadow for a better shot.