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Earthworks  > Photo Stories > Learning to Fly 2
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Earthworks > Professional falconer Laine MacTague and Manuka, the falconer's 3-year old female redtail hawk, wait out a sudden rain shower. The two spent an aternoon hunting rabbits, between showers, along the Santa Clara River in Santa Paula, Calif. (02/22/05)
Earthworks > As rain showers fade into the distance, MacTague and Manuka cautiously resume their hunt. (02/22/05)
Earthworks > When a rabbit is spotted, Manuka takes flight and a pursuit or "slip" ensues. When flying from the falconer's glove, Manuka is denied the gravity-assisted dive that she would normally use. To compensate her, MacTague winds up and releases Manuka in a sudden, side-armed toss. (03/03/05)
Earthworks > A slip. (03/03/05)
Earthworks > Redtail hawks, like Manuka, are members of a genus of raptors known as "Buteos." Buteos exhibit relatively large bodies and broad wings which equip them to hunt many different kinds of small mammals and other birds. (03/03/05)
Earthworks > After an unsuccessful "slip," or pursuit of prey, MacTague blows a high-pitched whistle which signals Manuka to return to the falconer's glove. (03/03/05)
Earthworks > Manuka has flown with MacTague for over two years. Manuka got her name from the type of honey that MacTague used as a salve to heal the hawk's once-injured talon. (02/22/05)
Earthworks > MacTague's heavy leather glove protects him from Manuka's formidable talons. Like other buteos, Manuka catches and actually kills her prey with these bone-crushing tools. (02/22/05)
Earthworks > When not casting the bird from his glove, MacTague will often position Manuka on a high perch. MacTague then attempts to startle and corral prey into the general direction of Manuka's position. From her perch, Manuka can dive on the unsuspecting prey. A similar sit-and-wait tactic is often used by redtails in the wild. (03/03/05)
Professional falconer Laine MacTague and Manuka, the falconer's 3-year old female redtail hawk, wait out a sudden rain shower. The two spent an aternoon hunting rabbits, between showers, along the Santa Clara River in Santa Paula, Calif. (02/22/05)
> Professional falconer Laine MacTague and Manuka, the falconer's 3-year old female redtail hawk, wait out a sudden rain shower. The two spent an aternoon hunting rabbits, between showers, along the Santa Clara River in Santa Paula, Calif. (02/22/05)
Professional falconer Laine MacTague and Manuka, the falconer's 3-year old female redtail hawk, wait out a sudden rain shower. The two spent an aternoon hunting rabbits, between showers, along the Santa Clara River in Santa Paula, Calif. (02/22/05)
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Keywords: falconry
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