Finally. It’s been far too long.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
These days I rarely photograph buteos or even eagles on utility poles but if one of the larger falcon species is involved I’ll often make an attempt at takeoff and flight shots. Yesterday morning I got my first chance in a long time at a Prairie Falcon atop a pole. Or anywhere, really.
As some of the larger falcons often do, this one spread and raised ‘his’ wings and kept them there for a few moments before taking off, rather than taking off in one explosive rush. At first I thought he was going to take off to my right where the light angle would be pretty good. But he had other plans and took off to my left where the light angle was dicey at best.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, canvas added for composition
I got quite a few photos of him taking off and in flight but each one had its problems, largely due to light angle and/or clipped or cut off body parts. I ended up liking this one of him in flight best, even though the light on his whites was a little harsh and I had to add canvas on the left to get a composition that worked better for me.
There’s a catch light in his eye but it was so dim I ended up brightening it slightly. I’ll enhance an existing catch light if I think I need to (after all, it’s just another exposure adjustment) but I won’t add one that doesn’t exist. A fake one would look odd anyway.
I have a few Prairie Falcon flight shots I like better but I was happy to add this one to my portfolio. Flight shots of Prairie Falcons don’t come easily.
Ron
Definite keepers, these shots are! Like Chris, I noticed the blood, although his crop doesn’t look all that full (at least to my untrained eye), so perhaps he only had an amuse bouche.
As gorgeous as his face is in both shots, I can’t help but focus on the “double-barreled bird” he appears to be flipping in the 2nd shot — especially as his talons are somewhat hidden by shadow. You can take the teacher out of the middle school… 😁😉
Marty, speaking of the “double-barreled bird” and not taking the teacher out of the middle school (or the high school for that matter), I saw this this morning and got a kick out of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgh9Hb30nNQ
😂🤣 That’s hilarious! Reminds me of the couple of times I’ve seen the Coke and Pepsi restocking happening at the same time while I was at the supermarket. (They were remarkably restrained.)
I figured you’d enjoy it, teach!
Simply wonderful photos of a magnificent bird. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Lyle.
Wow! Just gorgeous! Especially that last shot. I reallly love the colouring and markings and am glad you got one shot with the legs. Being rare, shots like this become that much more precious. Glad you had a good day. Here’s hoping you will get another chance soon-ish.
Thank you, Granny Pat.
Be still my heart — what a healthy-looking beauty this one is! — so glad you chose to ignore the perch and go for the Prairie. You’ve captured his/her gorgeous coloring and well-exposed pantaloons to boot! (Do I spy a fleck of blood on the inner left talon? Perhaps finishing a meal atop that pole?)
No, you can never pass up the opportunity to view and/or photograph a Prairie Falcon—I nearly drove my car off the freeway a few years ago when a one flew right over me, an unforgettable moment (for a couple reasons).
Yes, it probably is blood Chris. With Prairies it pretty much comes with the territory.
WOW! just Wow. Thank you for all your time and efforts, Ron.
Thank you, Melanie.
What a privilege this beauty gave you…
Yup.
Stunning shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great shot. They are such a beautiful bird and so hard to catch in flight. Congrats.
Thank you, Kent.
These are keepers, Ron! My cheeks would hurt from grinning if I had gotten that close to a Prairie Falcon!
I don’t get that close to them very often, Diane. In fact I’d say it’s close to rare for me.
Love the shots!!
Good. Thanks, Dick.
Beautiful! 🙂 REALLY nice shot on top of the power pole even if it’s isn’t one of your favorite perches…. 😉 Works for him! The detail is wonderful…. 🙂
Thank you, Judy.
I love shot #2–really dynamic–and it’s a good look at the falcon’s feet and
legs, usually so tucked up next to a flying bird’s torso that they’re
difficult to see clearly–what MAGNIFICENT coloration this bird has– gave me
a boost this morning just to look at him…..
Thanks, Kris. Being able to see their legs and feet is one of the advantages off catching them soon after takeoff. About two seconds later they’re tucked and gone.
Light and angle always says it all. So often I find myself saying – if only the light had been better or if only his angle to the light was better.
But I love that take off shot. Beautiful. And regarding poles – pass them by many times, but if it is a Prairie Falcon you have to take it.
“if it is a Prairie Falcon you have to take it”
That’s pretty much my philosophy, Everett – especially if they let you get close. Which they rarely do.
Beautiful shots Ron. My first thought when I saw the second image was ‘looks like angel wings’
I had that same thought, Mark. Maybe not my first one, but eventually.
Beautiful…a friend taught me to raise my arms while walking quickly and we called it soaring but this is how to do it right! Thanks, Ron!
“a friend taught me to raise my arms while walking quickly”
Made me smile, Mary, as I visualized what you described. Holding one’s arms out horizontally for any length of time is difficult. And painful. In track practice we used to call that exercise (and one other) “The Groaner”.
Nice! The alulae are partially deployed. I don’t really understand how they work to improve flight in various situations. Can you tell if the bird is raising or lowering them from your photos?
I can’t tell for sure, Pam. But I suspect they were being retracted, or soon would be, because the alulae are usually deployed during slow flight and this bird was beginning to accelerate rapidly.
Majestic shot!
Thanks, Terri.
A worthy addition, yes.
Thanks, Cheryl.