I’ll admit that I’m often amused by unusual poses.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago in Utah’s west desert I encountered this Red-tailed Hawk perched at the top of a juniper tree loaded with berries (they’re not really berries but that’s another story…). When it took off the hawk pushed off with only its right foot with its left leg and foot stuck out behind and to the side. The resulting pose with the wings out reminds me of some un-named dance move every time I look at the image. And that amuses me because to my eye it appears that the bird is attempting to balance in place on the tree on one foot as it uses its wings and left foot for stability.
Sometimes I’m easily amused.
Ron
Enjoyed photo of code talkers…good, strong faces…glad (very) they were there, that your father made it and you’re here!!!
Those berries are so abundant! I like this shot, Ron, like many that you take.Did you get this from your vehicle?
“Did you get this from your vehicle?”
Yes, Jane. Roughly 99% of my bird photography is done from my pickup.
What a cutie. I like the gleam in it’s eye.
Thanks, Jean.
Well, I love the picture,because that is exactly the way I look and feel when I am trying to balance on one leg!! Ron, you got it perfectly! 🙂
Thank you, Jane but I’ll give most of the credit to the hawk!
Ron, I’ve been looking at this picture on and off all day, and even though Kestrels are my favorite bird (along with Roadrunners), I think this may qualify as my all-time favorite of your photos. There’s just something about it that is irresistible to me.
“I think this may qualify as my all-time favorite of your photos.”
That’s something that I’m always delighted to hear, Susan. Thank you!
I’m far too chicken to attempt Navajo! A Navajo friend told me of a non-indian’s attempted to invite her to dinner (in “Navajo” supposedly)) and actually asked her to marry her, surprising the daylights out of both of them!
Employing Navajo/Dine code talkers duting WW II was genius!!! We owe them big time….
“We owe them big time….”
Yes, we certainly do, Patty. For me it’s even more personal. My Dad took part in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945 (radio man and flame thrower operator). Without the three Navajo code talkers pictured in the following link it’s possible that I wouldn’t even be here…
http://www.militaryhistoryphotos.com/WWII/Soldiers%20&%20Sailors/United%20States/Code%20Talkers/Code%20talkers%20en%20route%20to%20Okinawa,%201945.html#.VNq0NziYZhE
Add me to the easily amused list. ‘Small things for small minds?’
And also easily awed. Love that pose and would certainly do a face plant if I attempted anything remotely like it…
I’d be planted right next to you, EC…
OK class … Eleve….developpe en arriere….attitude ….voila !
Wish I knew my French better, Rosalinde…
Up on your toes – stand on one leg and extend the other up & back, hold the position/ attitude – If I am remembering ancient ballet class right and the proper words . Beautiful red tail is doing it just right, even the arm/wing positions 🙂
Those words fit the leg and foot positions perfectly, Rosalinde!
actually, he is practicing the yoga pose know as the “tree pose”…
I just looked that up, Deborah – you’re right, they do look somewhat similar.
Just plain beautiful!
Thanks, Karen.
I guess I’m easily amused, too. The photo definitely made me smile, and it does look like the bird has perfected a balancing trick. And is proud of it. Thanks for bringing a much-needed smile to my morning.
“I guess I’m easily amused, too.”
We’re two peas in a pod, Susan.
How great it must be to have wings!!! This beautiful, graceful creature obviously just made a perfect one-footed landing, probably practising for the winter Olympics professional skating competition…a sure winner!
“How great it must be to have wings!!!”
Agreed, Patty. I sometimes dream about having the ability to fly (and yes, I know how Freud interpreted those kinds of dreams…)
Ron, I like that dance move! It’s really neat when we capture a “less than perfect” pose from our bird friends. Keeps us coming back for more.
(Sorry to have been absent for awhile. Life inserts little interruptions to our preferred pursuits.)
Welcome back, Wally. And thank you.
It’s a little known fact that the Red-Tailed Hawk’s name in the language of the Navajo is Pi’untawe which means Juniper Berry Dancer.
I’m totally making this up you know. 😀
Ha – nice try, Arwen. If anyone around here knows a Native American name for the red-tail it’ll likely be Patty Chadwick (in the Lakota language).
Lovely shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Beautiful! Now all he needs is a tutu around his middle 🙂
I’m imagining the tutu in my mind, Ginny – brings up quite the mental image!