Cinereous Harrier! The South American Harrier! These are stunning raptors that fiercely defend their nests. I got dove at today, inches from my head, which seriously got our attention. In a few photos you will see why. I ducked but was never afraid. It was a warning, establishing dominance. They then let me stay and take many photos! They have the second largest tail feather to body ratio in the bird kingdom and these babies can fly! I found five contiguous (joined together) feathers from the Harrier that I will post at the end. These joined together tail feathers were lost in an aerial conflict. We saw many of these sparrings. Sachem told me (see prior post) that these birds have significant spiritual meaning in many Native American cultures, and he dreamed that I would find these feathers. Check out his blog & my prior post about this! It is…

Near Haut-Koenigsbourg in France is a castle called Kintzheim that houses only raptors.

These are bateleur eagles that I photographed in the wild in Africa and never expected to see again in France!

Of course you recognize these beauties, who I also never expected to see in France.

The castle runs a program called “La Volerie des Aigles,” which is dedicated to breeding, conserving and educating the public about vulnerable raptors. Birds are flown daily, and are an unusual sight soaring over the old towns and orderly fields of France. The castle has bred many endangered raptor species including Andean condors, and stellar, imperial and white-tailed eagles, and many other species, including vultures.

The white-headed vulture is endemic to Africa. Populations have been declining steeply in recent years due to habitat degradation and poisoning. Our planet needs vultures, they are designed to keep our world clean.

The cinereous vulture has…

In Oban Scotland, The Dunollie Woodland Trail, will lead you into The Witches Woods!

The deeper you go into the forest, the older it becomes.

The trees in the forest were twisted over time into witch-like shapes by the actions of fierce coastal winds.

Some of the oaks are over 400 years old.

The Witches Woods surround Dunollie Castle,

which was once home to the most powerful clan in Western Scotland, the MacDougalls.

The remains of the castle and the old manor house can be toured.

I was first scheduled to visit Oban about 30 years ago, but The Queen was doing a walk about, so our plans were changed. I am happy to have finally visited this charming town and the gorgeous Hebrides.

We are home at The Holler now, but it is cheers and BOO to you from misty Oban’s Witches Woods~