As I’ve mentioned previously in this blog Prairie Falcons have been one of my nemesis birds for a very long time. But recently I had several close up opportunities with the species.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
This juvenile falcon had been hunting smaller duck species along the shore of the Great Salt Lake and would occasionally rest on some shoreline rocks. This time I caught it enjoying the warming rays of the sun just minutes after sunrise. Here the warm light has just reached the bird and perch but hadn’t yet hit much of the water in the background.
I’ve posted several images of this species recently and perhaps I’ve overdone it but I guess my excitement over finally “conquering” a nemesis just got the best of me…
Ron
Addendum: A note to any bird photographers who may notice my camera settings for this image and wonder about them. I certainly didn’t need 1/3200 shutter speed for this static image but I had already taken multiple shots of this falcon with more appropriate settings for a perched bird so now that I had enough light I decided to increase my shutter speed in preparation for take-off. But of course the bird took off facing away from me so I deleted those images.
Too many Falco Mexicanus shots? That would be like too many heads-up pennies on the sidewalk, too many four leaf clovers in the lawn… Lol
Good light, subject and detail, this is what a good picture is all about, well done Ron.
First shot after I started subscribing – wow, what amazing light! Only an absolute amateur, but love your website!
Another glorious shot. Thank you. You can keep posting photos of this bird as often as you like.