This is a Harris Hawk and his handler. Photographed at the Center For Birds Of Prey, outside Charleston, South Carolina.

It’s obvious why heavy falconer gloves are being worn.

Harris Hawks are native to the southwestern part of the US.

An unusual trait is for these birds to hunt in a pack and cooperate with each other.

They are intelligent and are one of the few hawks used in falconry.

I have shot this particular bird several times and he is one of my favorites.

He is not afraid of photographers, at all. I have seen him briefly land on a camera left sitting on a tripod. None of these ‘professional’ photographers got the shot. Everyone watched, open mouthed, and by the time we got our act together he flew off. Pretty funny.