Hawkfest 2015

Went to the Hawkfest at Lake Erie Metropark...one of my favorite events of the year. Offered are educational programs like Bird of Prey IDs, demonstrations and on Sunday the Howell Nature Center had their birds out which is a great photo op. Also included are event for the kids, crafts, games and of course there is food.
Let me explain how this event came to be years ago. When Raptors (Hawks, Eagles etc) migrate they fly directly over the metropark...coming from Canada and the high north. Thousands fly over in the months of September, October and November and on any given day you can see hawk enthusiasts gathering with diga scopes and binoculars at the marina area. Of course there was a good crowd there on Sunday and they were rewarded with a kettle of broad wings while I was there so I got to see two kettles all together. They were way up there barely visible with the naked eye.

 American Bald Eagle

We have a resident eagle in an enclosure at the park ..Luc....and he was not happy to have another eagle in his territory. They kept squawking at each other.

 This is an Eurasian Eagle Owl

 Red-tailed Hawk

 American Kestrel

At the marina...the Detroit River

 People settled in for the day with picnics and drinks all facing north