Swainson’s Hawk Optical Illusion

Optical Illusion – an experience of seeming to see something that does not exist or that is other than it appears

When I first looked at this image of a Swainson’s Hawk (taken two weeks ago in the west desert of Utah) my brain had a difficult time interpreting some of the signals it was getting from my eyes.  But I was in a hurry (I was in the middle of culling hundreds of images) so I stuck it in the appropriate folder and decided to look at it more carefully later.   When I did, the same thing happened again – my gray matter interpretive mechanisms received some confusing visual cues.

Before I take this any further I’d like you to take a look at the image for a moment and see if the same thing happens to you and then I’ll try to explain the mental gyrations my head went through to try to interpret the image.

 

swainson's hawk 5832 ron dudley

 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

Each time I look at this image, at first the wing above the head appears to be the birds right wing on the far side of the body.  But then a few seconds later my brain tells me that’s impossible because the lower wing is obviously the right wing and it’s impossible (or at least highly unlikely) for the hawk to have two right wings.

After a bit of study the source of the confusion became apparent – by devilish chance the curve of the left wing on the near side of the bird precisely matched the curve of the body and the head behind it, which told my brain that the wing must be on the far side of the hawk, which it isn’t.  Reality became more apparent when I eventually let my eye follow the actual left wing to the rear where its curve begins to follow that of the body less precisely.

It’s interesting that our brains make snap judgments about what our eyes see and then sometimes have difficulty letting go of the original interpretation, even in the face of contradictory evidence on an intellectual level.  Each and every time I look at this image I have to reevaluate what I’m actually seeing.

I’m curious to know if this photograph has the same effect on some or all of my viewers or if it only happens to me.

If so, it won’t be the first time that my synapses have fired to the beat of a different drummer…

Ron

23 Comments

  1. Just looked at Swainson’s hawk, with mohawk, again…wish I hadn’t…….

  2. The contour line of the top of that bird’d head places those “primaries” on top of the head no matter how many times I look at it. There is no way they can be attached to anything on the viewer’s side of the bird…visually impossible…this photo is going to cause my mental downfall….

  3. Jane Chesebrough

    Yes, I see what you mean.Ha, I just read the reference to the “mohawk” and admit that crossed my mind.

  4. Yes, I saw what you saw the first time. I realized right away that there couldn’t be two wings on the same side and had to visually examine it to see why I saw it as I did. Very cool illusion though. Your images are marvelous as is all the info you give. I look forward to your postings.

  5. Oh yes. It did my head in too (though that is not difficult). A fascinating shot – thank you.

  6. This photo does the same weird stuff to my perceptions, even though it is perfectly clear that I am looking at the underside of the bird. Even knowing what I’m seeing it’s hard to get my eyes decipher the image correctly.

  7. I’ve spent enough time with members of the Iroquois Nation to know a “Mohawk” when I see one…this bird is sporting one (avian version, of course)..he’s probably either a Fancy Dancer” or a”Traditional” and makes money on the side by competing at pow wows

  8. I saw what you saw,Ron. I also saw the bird with a crest (actually,more like a mohawk) on the top of its head!

  9. Sharon Constantq

    I could see the left/right illusion right away. I think the dark tips of the primaries add to the illusion because it makes the body come forward and the wing tips recede. Fun.

  10. Yes – I see what you mean

    I had a similar experience when I first looked at a photo I took of an immature eagle. My brain did not see his head at first. See link to photo below

    http://db.tt/b1OHlYEN

  11. Got me! Interesting illusion!

  12. Even though you’ve explained it, it’s still difficult to accept. I agree it challenges reality and perceived reality!

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