Cooper's in the Pigeon Loft

[Takasho]

My Dad is a big bird hunter and uses pigeons to train his dogs. He called me on Friday to tell me he found a surprise when he went to let his pigeons out that morning. Here are the pics:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj41/Takasho/DadsCoops.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj41/Takasho/DadsCoops2.jpg

He managed to shoo it out but it didn't go far and he snapped these pics of it sitting in his plum tree before he finally got too close (he said 5 feet) and it flew off.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj41/Takasho/DadsCoops3.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj41/Takasho/DadsCoops4.jpg

Amazingly, there were no casualties in the loft. He watched it chase another of his pigeons across the sky this morning though. He contacted some local falconers who have come by and set up to trap it. He said he'll take more pics if they get it. He used to take me trapping way back when I was a teen and he's excited to be involved in trapping again. I just wish I lived closer and could trap it for myself! (He's in Utah).

Anyway, hopefully more pics to follow of some happy Utah falconers and their freshly caught coops...

[tony123abc]

Just had a misc unknown hawk eat all four of my pigeons. Ate 2 and killed the other two. Found a big pile of feathers on the entry shelf to the coop.

[Takasho]

We're lucky my Dad has falconry in his family. The folks on his dog boards suggest much less pleasant endings for hawks found in their lofts.

[tony123abc]

I can imagine.