Peregrine Falcon Fly-by
Dec 23, 2013 09:05:27 #
Conowingo Dam, located south of the Pennsylvania border with Maryland, is truly a mecca for migrating East Coast bald eagles from mid-October until mid-December. These eagles occasionally have to contend with a resident pair of peregrine falcons. Even with their greater size, the eagles respect the speed and ferocity of these peregrines.
On this fortunate close encounter in late October, I was handholding a Canon 400mm f5.6 prime when this peregrine was returning upriver to the dam superstructure.
5D3 ISO 2000 1/1600 sec. f/14 (+1 step)
On this fortunate close encounter in late October, I was handholding a Canon 400mm f5.6 prime when this peregrine was returning upriver to the dam superstructure.
5D3 ISO 2000 1/1600 sec. f/14 (+1 step)
Dec 23, 2013 09:29:08 #
Dec 23, 2013 12:10:19 #
Looks like you may be next on the menu, considering that the falcon is looking at you. Great capture.
Dec 23, 2013 18:33:34 #
Cool shots of this amazing bird!
But can I ask why f14? For a bird that far away I'm guessing you could have shot that at even 5.6 which would have enabled you to drop the ISO down from the exceptionally high 2000 which would get you better IQ.
But can I ask why f14? For a bird that far away I'm guessing you could have shot that at even 5.6 which would have enabled you to drop the ISO down from the exceptionally high 2000 which would get you better IQ.
Dec 23, 2013 19:18:42 #
Swamp Gator wrote:
Cool shots of this amazing bird!
But can I ask why f14? For a bird that far away I'm guessing you could have shot that at even 5.6 which would have enabled you to drop the ISO down from the exceptionally high 2000 which would get you better IQ.
But can I ask why f14? For a bird that far away I'm guessing you could have shot that at even 5.6 which would have enabled you to drop the ISO down from the exceptionally high 2000 which would get you better IQ.
I wasn't ready for the peregrines. I was in "eagle" mode at the time on this cloudy day. I had several opportunities to capture eagle fights as the thieves moved in to take the fish. These aerial battles offered experimentation opportunities with DOF and expanded focus.
A glance downstream to see the coming peregrines only gave me enough time to up the shutter speed and prepare for hi-speed continuous images during the fly-by. Thus, I locked in my elbows and got my nose against the corner of the LCD screen and started firing away. This was the second time in two weeks that I had peregrines close enough to make a real attempt at getting the images. I only saw peregrine "dots" in the sky during the previous two years at Conowingo.
Dec 23, 2013 19:34:46 #
CanonShot wrote:
I wasn't ready for the peregrines. I was in "... (show quote)
Mike:
How close was the bird? In other words, how much of a crop do these images represent?
Dec 23, 2013 21:41:40 #
birdpix wrote:
Mike:
How close was the bird? In other words, how much of a crop do these images represent?
How close was the bird? In other words, how much of a crop do these images represent?
Ed, I was standing next to the railing closest to the water on the wharf. The nearest of the two peregrines came by at 25-30 yards (best guess--just amazingly close) and these images were taken slightly passed perpendicular to the river flow. This event happened so quickly that I only got seven images. These images were #'s 3 and 4. #'s 5 and 6 were the "oh, well" departing shots.
The crop might be a third. How do you figure that, or do you just eyeball it? This bird was definitely closer than the one in the pix I sent to you before this event occurred.
I plan to be back down there tomorrow morning. The generation plant will have 4 large and 7 small units online for most of the day and at some point anywhere from 1 to 9 spill gates open. Both the wharf and boat launch will be closed, but it will be interesting to observe eagle behavior under these conditions on a partly sunny day.
Dec 24, 2013 02:57:44 #
Dec 24, 2013 06:13:07 #
Dec 24, 2013 06:42:02 #
Many thanks to those who have responded to this post. I wish you many great moments behind the lens during the holidays and in 2014!
Now, off to Conowingo on a 100 plus mile jaunt to check on how Christmas Eve morning affects the Baldies and the fields on the way home for a Snowy Owl or two during this irruption period.
Now, off to Conowingo on a 100 plus mile jaunt to check on how Christmas Eve morning affects the Baldies and the fields on the way home for a Snowy Owl or two during this irruption period.
Dec 24, 2013 12:13:09 #
Tresed47
Loc: Pennsylvania USA
CanonShot wrote:
Conowingo Dam, located south of the Pennsylvania b... (show quote)
Super catch - Have seen the peregrines at Conowingo but have not been able to get a good shot - excellent work
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Dec 24, 2013 18:21:45 #
CanonShot wrote:
Conowingo Dam, located south of the Pennsylvania b... (show quote)
Good shots.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Dec 24, 2013 18:50:02 #
Dec 28, 2013 15:54:30 #
Nice captures. If I had seen this bird, I would have been too excited to get the shots.
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