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The Great Bustard Group and the Hawk Conservancy in Hampshire have joined together in a project to house a pair of Great Bustards in an aviary open to the public. The Hawk Conservancy is the only place in the UK where you can see Great Bustards on public display.
I went to the Conservancy to see the raptor display and in between shows was watching the Great Bustard strut around his aviary. All of a sudden the bird stopped and started to display - only having a 300mm + 1.4 converter on I had to hastily step back as far as I could, hence the bird is very tight in the frame (and I have added canvas on the LHS)
They are amazing creatures and so large, the displaying was great to see and glad I got off a couple of shots before he stopped and went back to strutting around his cage once more.
The picture posted is a record shot really (too long a lens,overcast and dull, in captivity etc etc) but thought I would share.
Quite a sight Colin! (I like the double dandelions on the lhs ;-))
A couple of these have turned up in Somerset over the last year or so - and I hope to see one soon however I don't expect any of this sort of display for some time yet.
Not a looker are they. Nice colours, well exposed whites & good details. Why the label ?. Are these birds some sort of Turkey as it looks a similar shape?
Discussion
2 repliesThe Great Bustard Group and the Hawk Conservancy in Hampshire have joined together in a project to house a pair of Great Bustards in an aviary open to the public. The Hawk Conservancy is the only place in the UK where you can see Great Bustards on public display.
I went to the Conservancy to see the raptor display and in between shows was watching the Great Bustard strut around his aviary. All of a sudden the bird stopped and started to display - only having a 300mm + 1.4 converter on I had to hastily step back as far as I could, hence the bird is very tight in the frame (and I have added canvas on the LHS)
They are amazing creatures and so large, the displaying was great to see and glad I got off a couple of shots before he stopped and went back to strutting around his cage once more.
The picture posted is a record shot really (too long a lens,overcast and dull, in captivity etc etc) but thought I would share.
cheers
Colin
A couple of these have turned up in Somerset over the last year or so - and I hope to see one soon however I don't expect any of this sort of display for some time yet.
Andrew
Lee