A falcon showing his flying mettle

Helena mentioned that there was a Tree Festival being held this weekend at Westonbirt Arboretum, which is only a few miles from home. Despite feeling very tired, it suddenly seemed like a good idea to go over there, particularly as it would be free to Members, and that always attracts me. When she mentioned there would be a display of falconry, I became very keen.

We even managed to get there on time just as the display was starting, and even better was the gradual clearing of the cloudy skies and the gradual breakthrough of the sun. The arena was surrounded by people with many families and very keen children, who were keen to respond to the invite of the man displaying his birds to take part. I wasn't too keen on his rather too loud patter which verged on the inappropriate, but he was very able in showing the birds to us all and letting them fly safely, and apparently enjoyably, around and above us.

I love birds, and have by chance blipped them for the last few days, and now can't resist the opportunity to show you this falcon, which was bred in captivity using artificial insemination and is actually a cross breed. It circled many times and in some of my pictures I can see its eyes so sharply examining everything in its viewpoint. I have added a large selection of other shots of this bird, as well as the owl and an Harris Hawk, which he also flew, to my Flickr account here.

We enjoyed the rest of the exhibits very much as well and didn't manage to go into the arboretum proper, so we may even return there tomorrow. the weather is looking good too. It was fun to be at a festival again, with music playing lots of food stalls and Stroud Brewery selling their good local ales.