As a bird photographer my attitude toward excrement-stained perches has evolved, especially when it involves raptors.
Many birds of prey hunt from elevated perches which become stained by the uric acid component of their excrement. Uric acid is not very soluble in water so it tends to remain on the perch and stain it white where it is often referred to as “whitewash”.
Whitewash can be a challenge for the photographer both technically and aesthetically. Its stark whiteness often presents an exposure problem and the idea of “poop” in an image just doesn’t appeal to some folks. When I first started photographing raptors I wasn’t much of a fan of whitewash in my images but I’m learning to live with it and even appreciate it for what it is and what it represents.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
These huge boulders (you can only see a small portion of their actual size) on Antelope Island are heavily stained with whitewash, indicating that they have been habitual perches for large birds for years. I suspect that this Red-tailed Hawk has spent many, many hours hunting from this perch. I now see whitewash-stained rocks (and other perches) as an integral part of a healthy, natural environment rather than something to be avoided in my images. In fact, when I visit a wild area and scan for raptors I’m always relieved to see whitewash-stained rocks as an indicator of healthy bird populations.
This morning I’ll be attending an event hosted by Hawkwatch International where I expect to learn more about the current status of western raptors and some of the threats to their survival. Sadly, I suspect I’ll be alarmed by what I hear as I’m seeing many anecdotal signs of stress in our western raptor populations.
It should be interesting to get the “real poop” from experts about what’s actually going on and what we all may or may not be able to do to alleviate the situation.
Ron
Well, we don’t have too many boulders here in central Florida but we sure do have plenty of whitewash! I saw a small island last week that looked snow-covered thanks to dozens of breeding water birds.
Wonderful image of a beautiful raptor to start the day! Thank you!
This doesn’t really compare with the work you do Ron but in my neighborhood we get several owls “hanging out” each year, several times a year. The easiest way to find them is look DOWN for big while splotches of “poop”, then look UP LOL. Seems to work every time!
Great work, thank you so much!
Yes, that’s a great owl-finding technique, Alan. Thank you.
What a beauty!
Thank you, Jean.
Ahhh whitewash! In the past, before delisting, I worked for the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) as a seasonal employee monitoring an historic Peregrine Falcon aerie on the Central Coast of CA, a spectacular ocean bluff. Between long stretches of observing napping Peregrines, the dead giveaway that I should put my eye to the scope was the “stretch and squirt” which occurred a second before the falcon launched into flight in search of prey. As you know, this lightened the load. We also referred to certain whitewash marks as noodles, lol!
Thanks for the memory…
Ha, So use my noodle (what I use as a lens support on my window) to photograph noodles! Double duty, of sorts.
Hi! Great photo! Between not feeling great! Darn Arthritis! I have been busy snapping photo of birds on my feeder and window sill! Keep up your great shots.
Think of bird photography as therapy, Hummingbird Lover. Thank you.
Healthy animals, healthy excreta. Looks great to me and the RTHA looks healthy as well. Thanks for reminding us of important features of life.
“Healthy animals, healthy excreta”.
Exactly, Diana. Thank you.
Can’t wait to hear wha you learn. I have a vet friend who is a bird poop expert. She has this shirt….
It was an interesting event, Arwen. Hawkwatch does some great things for raptors.
Hi Ron,
I am ALWAYS looking for whitewash. My wife thinks this is strange, but I am sure you understand. And, of course, one can always “read” the whitewash to predict the future, find the meaning of life, etc. For example, the bird in your image has just revealed Elvis’s location. I’m just sayin’… 🙂 🙂
Cheers,
Dick
I knew I’ve been missing something, Dick…
I agree with Patty.
Thank you, Dave.
“The real poop”? Bad!!! Love the image, very stately…dread what you’ll probably learn.
I like being bad, Patty. Once in a while…