Freedom's Return!

The news from Birdman that Freedom had been spotted in southern Ontario couldn't be more exciting, and a welcome counterpoint to the recent sad news of Hafoc's death. What a wonder it is to find that Freedom, Hafoc's brother, is alive and well, and raising eyases of his own!

When I heard the news it immediately brought to mind my own adventure with Freedom. On July 20, 2002, I climbed out on a rickety trestle bridge to within 30 or 40 feet (10 meters) of him, there to shoot several pictures as he perched on a railing of the High Falls brewing company.




Freedom did much to inspire my passion for photographing these amazing, beautiful falcons. To know that he's thriving among our Canadian friends to the north is truly a gift. It makes all the effort and the hundreds of hours spent watching, photographing, and writing about the falcons even more worthwhile. I hope we'll continue to hear more about Freedom's growing family for many years to come.