I didn’t expect to go birdwatching at the ArtsFest in downtown Stuart yesterday, but Treasure Coast Wildlife Center brought some rescued raptors to a pavilion in Memorial Park. And what birds to watch they were!

Here are some closeup “portraits” with my Canon SX60.

Barn Owl is (charmingly) nocturnal.

Great Horned Owl wins the staring contest.

This Peregrine Falcon is retired from falconry, I learned.

Red-shouldered Hawk is a forest hunter. They look a lot like Broad-winged Hawks and the Florida native version is lighter in color. I wonder if I am confusing my local hawks, since Broad-winged are rarer around here.

Crested Caracara is wicked cool. A new bird for me.

Red-tailed Hawk is fiercely beautiful.