One of the privileges I have as the photographer for the California Foundation for Birds of Prey is that I am given access to events that I wouldn’t otherwise have. This goshawk is a falconer’s bird and a couple of weeks ago, when I took this photograph, it had emerged only moments before from surgery to remove a bone stuck crossways in its craw. A veterinarian is holding it and watching closely. It had not yet come completely out of the anesthesia so what is not visible in this photo is the vet’s other hand encircling the back of the bird to keep it upright on his glove because as is shown in the shot, the bird is not grasping with its talons yet. I am happy to report that surgery was a success.
What a gorgeous bird!! How exciting!