The Handler

Black and White Photography by Robert David Atkinson. 

"In the rugged highlands of Scotland, where the winds howled like ancient spirits and the mountains stood tall and proud, there lived a majestic bird of prey and her devoted handler. They shared a bond that transcended words, a connection forged through years of trust and companionship.

The raptor was a creature of grace and power, her wings spanning wide as she soared through the crisp Scottish air. She hunted amidst the heather-covered hills with keen eyes, her sharp talons striking true with deadly precision. Yet, despite her fierce nature, there was a gentleness in her gaze when she looked upon her handler.

Her handler was stoic, weathered by the elements, and hardened by years of living amidst the wild. With a steady hand and a calm demeanor, she guided the raptor through her daily routines, her movements fluid and synchronized as they worked as one.

But not just their skill bound them together; it was something deeper, something intangible yet undeniable. It was a mutual respect born from countless shared experiences, from the thrill of the hunt to the quiet moments of companionship beneath the starlit sky.

Every day, the handler would release the raptor into the vast expanse of the Scottish highlands, watching as she soared higher and higher until she disappeared from sight. And every day, without fail, the raptor would return, her keen instincts leading her back to the one who had become her constant companion.

Through storm and sunshine, trials and triumphs, their bond grew stronger, an unbreakable tether that bound them together across the vast expanse of the highlands.

The raptor and her handler had no need for words, for their connection spoke volumes without ever uttering a sound. In each other's presence, they found solace and strength." – RDA