Up close, closer than I wanted to be.
Today’s post was inspired by frustration. Very early yesterday morning I drove many miles to a remote birding location and after spending most of the morning looking for birds I ended up being skunked photographically. The only bird I photographed over the entire morning was a Prairie Falcon perched on a rock that was so far away the falcon wasn’t much bigger in my viewfinder than the central focusing point. Those photos have been deleted.
So during the long drive home I was daydreaming about Prairie Falcons and thought of the falcon below that I actually got too close to.
1/1600, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I had to get this close to her because any further away my view of her was obstructed. Even with my teleconverter removed and shooting vertically I could barely fit her in the frame. I believe this is the same young female that terrorized the ducks along the causeway to Antelope Island for several consecutive winters.
She’d obviously had a recent successful duck hunt because her feet and lower belly and vent feathers were still bloody and very wet.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
And her crop was bulging. After such a satisfying meal she was perfectly content to stay on the rock, even with my pickup so close and occasional traffic whizzing by..
1/1600, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
She seemed to really appreciate her huge feet and slashing talons that had provided her repast.
Though I haven’t seen the bird I recently noticed a report of a Prairie Falcon on the island this winter. Maybe I’ll get lucky again.
Hope springs eternal.
Ron
Wonderful photos! I have not seen the prairie this year but last winter one sat on the old tree stump regularly.
Thanks, April. I’ve been watching for them too.
Nope, not too close. Perfect distance. Filling the frame provides fascinating detail.
The bloody ankle joint: could it be bleeding? Seem strange that there is no blood on her beak and, except for some on the left foot, the blood appears concentrated on the feathers around the ankle, as the second photo shows.
“The bloody ankle joint: could it be bleeding?
I don’t think so, Lyle. I saw no evidence of it in many other photos of her, she was acting normally and she wasn’t picking at her ankle or limping. And when she took off she pushed off both feet. Not proof but I doubt it.
Love seeing a bird with a bulging crop — she’s a beaut! (Poor ducky, though.) I really enjoy a frame-filling nature subject, so I’m kind of glad you were able to get so close.
Thanks, Marty. I always prefer too close over too far…. 🙂
Hello Ron, these are superb shots of an incredible bird! The one with her scratching her chin showing those sharp talons, I love! We have mostly Peregrines here but do get an occasional Prairie. That makes them more mysterious to me especially since the view of them is usually a quick flyover. The close-up photography of this satiated Prairie falcon is such an intimate view. Thanks!
Thanks very much, Marisela. I’m glad you enjoyed that last photo in particular.
She is a fantastical falcon! I had some trepidation scrolling down to the images given your title today, but they are really quite beautiful, blood and all, and what a story they tell. She seems justifiably proud of herself, whether showing off her huge crop or admiring her talons. A wonderful series, Ron, and I hope your readers’ enjoyment of it helps alleviate some of yesterday’s frustration.
Thank you, Chris. I’m aware that some folks won’t even open a post if they think a little blood or gore is involved. Personally I don’t get it but different strokes…
Her prey was even closer. And bloodier. And without question thought (I hope v briefly) that they were too close.
That raised foot is super impressive.
I am v glad that she was too busy ‘digesting’ to move while you took this series. I am digesting is the phrase my partner’s brother in law uses to explain why he cannot do anything after a meal.
EC, my maternal grandfather used to say the same thing as your partner’s brother in law.
My dad used to use the same “I’m digesting” commentary. 😉
I really appreciate further photos of this girl. She really changed my mind about bird intelligence when you posted about her hunting style. Now, years later, researchers are writing tons about bird intelligence and the functioning of their smaller, lighter weight neurons. It seems the more the researchers learn, the more often bird perceptions surpass our human perceptions, eyesight being a prime example with wider range of light rays seen, faster processing and often sharper images.
Keep up pushing that teaching edge, professor.
Pam, good memory about that older post. It was one of my favorite blog posts, and bird experiences, of all time.
Sorry you got “skunked” in one way but these photos certainly make up for it! 😄 Well fed is ALWAYS good. Those feet are huge for her size! 😲
Going to do the windchill advisory until into Thurs. now……at least there is a bit of snow on the ground – pretty dry stuff when we need wet but it will protect the ground a bit…….😖
Judy, it’s been damn near 60° here for the last two days. Much too warm for this time of year.
Impressive looking bird. Those are big feet…and very impressive talons! This is a species I’ve not seen. She looks to be the size of a peregrine; I’ve seen a few of them hunting and their speed is something to see.
Kathy, yes they’re about the same size as a Peregrine (1.6 lbs).
You went from being skunked to winning the Super Bowl of Prairie Falcon Photography. I think these are the best Prairie Falcon photos I have seen. And those feet and talons are huge. Almost identical in measurements to a Peregrine, but a completely different hunting style. I saw one kill a coot and then saw a female Harrier drive it off and take over the prey. Not much difference in size, but guess the Harrier was just a more determined fighter, or it could have been an age thing – a mature Harrier and a very young Prairie Falcon.
Thanks very much, Everett.
My bet is that it was an age thing between your harrier and the Prairie.
What a beauty, and I, for one, LOVE seeing bloody feathers. It means she’s eaten recently. Very recently in these images. She’s full and happy. That’s very good!
I’ve ALWAYS wondered how they manage to scratch their heads with the switchblades they carry at the end of their toes. And yet, they do.
I see your images every day. Some days my fingers don’t want to comment and it takes a while for them to make words happen these days. That and sometimes dealing with Zoe’s dementia takes several hours.
Oh and yes Kestrels WOULD take on pteradactyls if they were still here! LOL!!
Laura, I like seeing bloody feathers, or beaks, for the same reason you mention.
Ron,
The picture of her foot raised is so impressive! Her feet appear, and probably are, bigger than her head. Although bloody photos of successful predators are often considered distasteful in the art world, this one certainly gets across the point that she’s a master of her trade.
Nancy, she was a very proficient duck hunter, especially for a young bird.