The only common theme running through all of these images is that the subjects are all “birds of prey” (phrase used loosely). Each photo was taken within the past year.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk had just taken off from a power pole in the west desert after dining on a vole. As is sometimes the case it had a stray strand of grass stuck to its face as a leftover from its meal. For me little imperfections like that are usually a dose of reality that doesn’t bother me.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Here a male Osprey is delivering a partially eaten fish to its mate on the nest at Flaming Gorge, Utah. As is typical of the species this male had caught the fish and consumed part of it before giving it to the female. And speaking of “little imperfections” you’ll notice the flying insect in the upper right-hand corner. It could easily be cloned out but it works just fine for me because it’s sharp. I did clone out another one that was blurry and looked like a dust spot.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This dark morph Swainson’s Hawk is taking off from its sagebrush perch in the Centennial Valley of southwest Montana. The image quality isn’t great but I like the take-off pose and the look at the plumage patterns under the wing.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This image of a Peregrine Falcon was taken earlier this spring near Capitol Reef National Park. The bird had been feeding on a female Cinnamon Teal which explains the bloody feet.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Ok, I know I’m stretching things a bit to include a Loggerhead Shrike in a post about birds of prey or raptors but I’m not stretching them much. These ferocious little rodent and bird-killing, prey-impaling “butcher birds”s are often referred to as raptor wannabe’s for good reason. This adult was hunting from a sagebrush perch last month on Antelope Island. Upper background is the Great Salt Lake.
I haven’t posted many birds of prey of late so this morning I decided to scratch my itch and rectify the situation.
Ron
OK, Jerry…what is it?
Ron, that is the same Peregrine I said was interesting and unusual. However, the Osprey is interesting for the same reason. Let’s see if anyone can figure out why? Can I post these images on the HawkWatch site and discuss why in a few days?
I never could figure out what was unusual about that Peregrine, Jerry. Still can’t, Sure, go ahead and use them on HW. I hope to find out the answer this time…
I like the way the blue shades into gray on the shrike pic.
Me too, Ed.
A good reminder of how beautiful these birds are. To me the Loggerhead Shrike also fits in because it seems to have dignity similar to that of ‘real’ raptors. I won’t tell you how long it took me to figure out what that strange thing is by the Osprey’s head…
Ha, you mean the left wing-tip, Susan? I guess it does look a little strange with that position…
A feast of raptors and, for dessert, a raptor wannabe!!! That Swainson’s sure looks Golden Eaglish….beautiful, healthy looking bird!
That Swainson’s does look to be full of vigor, doesn’t he Patty?
Wonderful!
Thanks, Kelli.
Great shots. And ending the sequence with “Picanço-Real” was a master-stroke.
Thank you.
Glad you liked the “conclusion”, Jorge. I was a little tentative about doing that.
A great group and mighty fine images..Thanks!
Thanks very much, Bill.
Wonderful group Ron, and the images are fantastic, many thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Dick.
What wonderful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Charlotte.