I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a wild raptor with a more obviously bulging crop than this Prairie Falcon.
I’ve previously posted another somewhat similar image of this falcon but this one is new to my blog.
1/1600, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed the bird just over two years ago along the Antelope Island causeway as it rested and cleaned up after an obviously satisfying meal. I suspect the prey had been a duck as this bird (at least I believe it was the same falcon) had become something of a duck specialist with a fascinating hunting technique that I’ve documented in a previous post. Here the bird chose a spot in the warming sun to dry off, preen and clean its messy talons, thus the raised foot. I like the combination of wet and bloody feathers, bulging crop and that ominous and intimidating foot in silhouette.
I generally find Prairie Falcons to be among the least approachable of raptors but this one had become acclimated to traffic along the causeway and wasn’t intimidated by vehicles in the least (I was shooting from my pickup). In order to get a clear view of the falcon below the elevated roadway I had to approach it quite closely, which didn’t make it nervous at all.
Even with my teleconverter removed I was quite tight on the bird – this image is full frame (not cropped). That tightness may not be ideal aesthetically but it allows for wonderful detail. Here we even get a clear look at the tiny cone inside the nostril that allows falcons to continue to breathe efficiently at incredible speeds.
Ron
I definitely have one, possibly two…One in each machine, and every bit as well fed as that falcon!
I wish something like this voracious falcon would eat the Sockness Monster that lurks inside my washing machine or dryer…
You’ve got one of those too, Patty?
Satiated and satisfied.
Another stunning image. When I feel that full I look dopey rather than menacing.
And I loved learning about the nose cone too.
Thank you.
“When I feel that full I look dopey rather than menacing”
Me too, EC – to the extreme. I just get sleepy, to the point that folks rightfully make fun of me for it.
So many of your photos are great at highlighting an particular educational point…as othersl like Jo Ann Donnelly (in this case) have pointed out…re: what a full crop looks like…the sinister, raised, VERY sharp-looking talons and bloodied feathers add to the drama…and underscore the nature of the bird–as a deadly and efficient hunter with all the right tools….
Patty, as you know “education” is part of my goal with this blog so your comment means a lot. Thank you.
Ron, it is a great photo & I ‘m glad you didn’t worry about making it “aesthetically pleasingly”. Sometimes you have to make things great.
Thanks for a beautiful photograph.
David
Glad you enjoyed it, David. Thanks.
Just gorgeous! I love the detail.
Thank you, Susan.
Hi Ron,
Nice, very nice. I very much like the wide open spaces of the American West, and the Prairie Falcon is one of those iconic species that remind me why. I will be taking an unstructured road trip through several states in June (sort of a “walkabout”) and I hope to see a few. Thanks for the extra motivation!
Cheers,
Dick
Good for you, Dick. I applaud you for the trip and hope you have a simply stupendous time!
What did this bird eat??? A swan? A goose? An eagle? I think this bird have just lost its appetite…wonder if it can even get airborn….
Patty, rumor has it that this falcon found the legendary Great Salt Lake Monster and had it for breakfast. The critter hasn’t been spotted since that morning…
Ron this is an amazing capture of a VERY satisfied falcon. You should consider sharing this with either The Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the Audubon Society. A wonderful example of a full crop!! I haven’t seen any of my eaglets that I watch with crops this full!!
Jo Ann, I’ve seen a lot of raptors with distended crops but this one takes the cake. Or duck…
Ron, again thanks for the anatomy lesson and the great shot you made to show us the details. Those talons look formidable.
They certainly are impressive, Diana. And very effective. Thanks.
I remember your post showing the falcon with the Shoveler! Obviously this fellow has developed this strategic strategy and probably is the same one! This falcon should be around for a long time. Hope he/she doesn’t catch what is killing many ducks out west!
Great image, thanks.
Dick, I haven’t seen this bird along the causeway for a while but I suspect that’s because, due to the drought, the lake water has receded and there are fewer ducks there. Thank you.