Crowds flock to CalBG’s Family Bird Festival

The intense gaze of Coco, a two-year-old great horned owl. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

Big crowds flocked to California Botanic Garden’s Family Bird Festival on Sunday. The event showcased a variety of native birds, including the red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, and the incredible peregrine falcon, which can fly up to 240 mph and snatch prey right out of the air. Courier photos/Peter Weinberger

After an afternoon of posing, Leica, a one-year-old red-tailed hawk, stretches his wings as handler Patty Thorne looks on. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

The Soto family from Pomona took a slow stroll around the garden Sunday. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

When small prey gets this look from Willow, a peregrine falcon, it’s time to hide. With a top air speed of 240 mph, she won’t be outrun. Willow even has specially developed nostrils to help block the wind when flying at such high speeds. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

Coco, a two-year-old great horned owl, keeps an eye on spectators Sunday. Coco’s habitat is local, and as his handler John Baker said, “If you hear a howl in these parts, it’s from one of these guys.”

 

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