Falconry Season begins - in pictures

  • Saeed Suhail Al Muharrami has been practicing falconry for 20 years. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Saeed Suhail Al Muharrami has been practicing falconry for 20 years. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Emirati falconers gather after falconry practice in the desert near Remah
    Emirati falconers gather after falconry practice in the desert near Remah
  • Falconers practice with their birds just before the sun sets to avoid the heat of the day
    Falconers practice with their birds just before the sun sets to avoid the heat of the day
  • Emirati falconers travel internationally with their falcons, which have to be issued passports
    Emirati falconers travel internationally with their falcons, which have to be issued passports
  • Falconer Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri
    Falconer Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri
  • A falcon swoops as the falconer swings the lure
    A falcon swoops as the falconer swings the lure
  • A falcon with its prey
    A falcon with its prey
  • Falcons perch on a stand – called a wakr in Arabic
    Falcons perch on a stand – called a wakr in Arabic
  • Falconry is a traditional Emirati practice. The season started on October 20 and lasts until January 31
    Falconry is a traditional Emirati practice. The season started on October 20 and lasts until January 31
  • Omar Humaid Al Hameli, a specialist in animal conservation at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
    Omar Humaid Al Hameli, a specialist in animal conservation at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
  • Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri with one of his prized birds
    Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri with one of his prized birds
  • Different breeds of falcons catch different kinds of prey, from houbaras to desert hares
    Different breeds of falcons catch different kinds of prey, from houbaras to desert hares
  • Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri quenches the thirst of his falcon, Shaman
    Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri quenches the thirst of his falcon, Shaman