Parahawking!

Imagine floating in a paraglider in Nepal with the distinctive point of Macchapucchare behind you. Could it possibly get any better than that?

Yes it can! Scott Mason has done just that by combining his two passions: falconry and paragliding. Scott uses rescue birds to find the thermals that make for excellent paragliding.

Birds wind up in Scott's care because they have been injured, they fell out of the nest, their nest was cut down, or they were kept as pets. When possible, the birds are returned to the wild. Those that are too badly injured or too tame to be set free, are still cared for, exercised daily and kept in Scott's ever-expanding group of aviaries. The ones that cannot be returned to the wild, but are capable of training, get a new job: Parahawking!

Bob, an Egyptian Vulture, has been called in for mid-air refueling.

And he's off again, locating thermals to keep our paraglider aloft... and to earn more snacks!

Both vultures race in for a snack from Katrina's hand - looks like Kevin won that round! Better luck next time, Bob.

Fish Farms, Pokhara

Of course, the views from the air are nothing short of stunning...


... but, to be able to live the ancient dream of soaring, literally, with the birds, is unbeatable!

The end of a very good day!

Approaching the landing field. Run water buffalo, run!

After we land safely, local kids earn extra income packing up our gliders.

Woo-hoo!

And here's the guy who kept me alive: Brad Sander, who set the world record for altitude in a paraglider - over 25,000 feet! But everyone who was at last week's costume party just knows him as Bond. James Bond.

Just hangin' with our pals

To learn more about parahawking and raptor conservation, visit Scott Mason's website: www.parahawking.com

For some amazing pictures, see Katrina Keating's parahawking blogs on her site
www.katrinakphotography.blogspot.com