Falconry: Sheer poetry in motion
Falconry is described as one the oldest bonds between man and bird, dating back thousands of years. Ancient, yet modern in its currency, the sport employs trained birds of prey to take quarry in its natural state and habitat.
The falcon is adapted to hunt the prey which in turn tries to escape from the falcon. As the falconer orchestrates the two together in the lap of nature, what follows is sheer poetry in motion, elegant yet violent, with time standing completely still.
A popular sport, falconry has spawned a huge industry as there is a range of equipment to employ.
The gear includes everything from the iconic hoods used to calm the birds and gloves to protect oneself from the eagles’ claws to jesses and strips that are tied to the birds’ feet, besides identity tags, bells, trackers and telemetry. ■