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Hawk Portraits
Nov 18, 2015 14:07:42 #
I havent tracked this carefully but Ill bet that at least 75% of the raptors that I have the opportunity to photograph are on utility poles. I understand what a perfect work station it is for them to make their living. The problem is all of the distracting elements that end up in the frame. I sometimes solve the problem by cropping to make portraits of these beautiful animals. It doesnt always work. The big crops can sacrifice detail and introduce noise. But, I have a large collection of mug shots. These are Red tails from out in the Nevada basin and range country.
Nov 18, 2015 14:15:27 #
rockdog wrote:
I havent tracked this carefully but Ill bet that... (show quote)
Nice shots but I would rather see all of the bird. Sitting on a pole is no distraction. Everybody needs a place to sit.
Nov 18, 2015 14:35:20 #
Lovely portraits. In some areas here, there is a hawk on every other pole along the road :) If you so much as slow down, they fly off!
Nov 18, 2015 14:38:13 #
Bill MN wrote:
Nice shots but I would rather see all of the bird. Sitting on a pole is no distraction. Everybody needs a place to sit.
Thank you Bill. I appreciate your visit and comment.
Nov 18, 2015 14:51:28 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Lovely portraits. In some areas here, there is a hawk on every other pole along the road :) If you so much as slow down, they fly off!
Hi Linda thank you for the kind words. I sometimes use the that pole spacing ( every other pole, every third or forth pole, etc.) as a rough census tool. Even when they migrate in groups they still require some hunting space. And yes, they do fly off!
Regards, Phil
Nov 18, 2015 17:47:35 #
These are so beautiful and so incredibly sharp. The look in their eyes tells me I am glad we are too big to be prey.
Nov 18, 2015 17:54:43 #
Beautiful head shots. I like the way you captured the birds facial expressions; you can almost tell what they're thinking.
Speaking of raptors on poles, near where I live there's an unmanned turnpike interchange that's located between a large water filled quarry and an old land fill. Some days, all the light fixtures and overhead equipment supports and communications antenna's at the interchange are occupied by numerous Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures; it's like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie...
Speaking of raptors on poles, near where I live there's an unmanned turnpike interchange that's located between a large water filled quarry and an old land fill. Some days, all the light fixtures and overhead equipment supports and communications antenna's at the interchange are occupied by numerous Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures; it's like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie...
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Nov 18, 2015 18:13:21 #
Nov 18, 2015 18:54:12 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
These are so beautiful and so incredibly sharp. The look in their eyes tells me I am glad we are too big to be prey.
Thank you, Carol. I appreciate your kind comment. My fascination with birds of prey has much to do with their eyes, how intensely and effectively they use their vision. And then there is that moment when you make eye contact!
All the best, Phil
Nov 18, 2015 18:56:28 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Beautiful head shots. I like the way you captured ... (show quote)
Thank you for the visit and nice comment. You could have a lot of fun those Vultures. I never pass an opportunity to record one.
Phil
Nov 18, 2015 19:00:42 #
rlaugh wrote:
Beauties indeed!!
Thanks for the visit Bob. They are beauties, my idea of a glamour subject.
Regards. Phil
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Nov 19, 2015 12:37:45 #
Nov 19, 2015 14:16:21 #
larryzplace wrote:
They look great to me... :thumbup: :thumbup:
Hi Larry, I appreciate your visit and comment, thank you. Interesting bike.
Phil
Nov 19, 2015 16:02:26 #
rockdog wrote:
Thank you for the visit and nice comment. You could have a lot of fun those Vultures. I never pass an opportunity to record one.
Phil
Phil
I photograph Turkey Vultures quite often because they're great 'bird in flight' practice plus all too many people dislike them because they're not visually appealing like most other raptors; the unattractive bald red head thing; and Black Vultures can be almost as social as Gulls as long as you have treats for them. One day last summer I was at Conowingo Dam in Maryland photographing Cormorants and Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles and while I was eating my lunch, a couple Black Vultures walked up looking for a hand out. I tossed them a few pieces of meat and they invited their buddy's, it was actually quite humorous. Here's a photo I took that day...
Raptor School - class in session
Nov 19, 2015 16:24:58 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
I photograph Turkey Vultures quite often because t... (show quote)
Yes, this is the kind of fun I had in mind. Vultures play an important role in the grand scheme of things. I wish I could see more Black Vultures out here.
Phil
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