Spain - Granada (Beauty and the Beast I)

A captive Saker Falcon (falco cherrug) and handler – thanks to Pieter from Spanish Nature for identification! Taken at the Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park) in Granada. We were recommended to check out a "flight show," and what a show it was! Several raptors at arms length. Unfortunately my Spanish wasn't enough to understand the handlers' explanations...This is easily one of my all-time favorite photographs I've taken. I like the stark contrast between the beauty and the beast - yet they both exhibit a similar intense demeanor. Although the falcon was hooded so it wouldn't get too stressed with all the people around him, it was alert and ready to go the second the hood was removed...Magnificent beast!