I’ve tried and failed for a long time to catch a raptor perched on the darker rocks (Farmington Canyon Complex) that are most common on the southern part of Antelope Island. I think these rocks make much more attractive perches than the almost white and difficult to properly expose Tintic Quartzite boulders on the north portion of the island. Last week I finally succeeded with this Prairie Falcon.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
As an added bonus the sun was just coming up over the Wasatch Mountains so the golden light added some warmth to the image which I like. I only got off a handful of shots but at least the bird turned its head into the light before it flew off. Based on bill color I believe it to be a first year bird.
Now if I could only get this close to a Peregrine Falcon in good light…
Ron
Ron, as a falconer that spends alot of time discerning whether birds are immature or not, Prairies are really difficult.
However in this shot I think this is an adult. As immatures they have blue ceres(the fleshy substance around their nostrils, and blue feet. This shot is difficult to tell but I believe it really is an adult as the feet are quite yellow.
I really love the warmth that you captured in this photo! Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks Matt – I appreciate your input as you’re certainly better informed on this subject than I am. I’ll have to go back and check to see if I have other shots of this bird that show the age better than this one does.
Beautiful!
Ron:
I understand why you would want these rocks for a perch. In this case the colors of the perch complement those of the bird. The warm light is fantastic and the head turn could not be better.
That took my breath away. Thank you.