I’ve long been a fan of VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft for their versatility and incredible power. One of my favorite birds, the Northern Harrier, shares its name with one of those aircraft and because of my fondness for both the bird and the airplane the vanity plates on my pickup read “HARRIER”.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
A few days ago on Antelope Island I photographed this Western Kingbird as it took off from a sagebrush and into a headwind. Because of the wind about all it had to do was open its wings and shazam, it lifted almost straight up, similar to the takeoff of a VTOL aircraft. I remember thinking exactly that at the moment it lifted off.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
In the next shot you can tell the kingbird still hasn’t moved forward much at all because both the bird and the sagebrush are still sharp. Mostly it has just moved slightly to our right.
Usually when I see this kind of liftoff it’s from a raptor so I enjoyed photographing it in a songbird for a change.
Ron
Note: These images were processed on the road from my laptop so I’m not really sure how they look. So far on our camping trip birds have been slow (the only thing that has been fast has been the wind…).
Flying is the super power I would most like to have. A daily miracle which we try (and usually fail) to copy.
And I loved these frozen in time moments.
One of my favorite memories is of standing at the top of of an Anasazi tower (Tuzigoot ?) in Arizona–over looking a faraway river and fields –facing into the wind–eyes closed, arms outstretched,”soaring” and banking–visualizing the fields below, pretending I was flying!!! Fantastic!!! you have to be a little bit crazy to do it, but it’s worth it…I hope you get to try it sometime…You can fly over here and day say “Hello”!!!
I tried something similar once. I was about 6 years old and I was in a Mickey Mouse suit and apparently wondered if I could fly. Stood on top of the pump house roof (for our water well), put my arms out holding my MM cape and jumped off, hoping for the best. It did not go well. Thankfully that pump house wasn’t very high.
Nothing wrong with “a little bit crazy” but it can have its risks. And potential rewards…
Tell that to my knees! The rewards part…tried “flyiing” out of the hayloft with a variety of complete flops (literally) re:”wings”. Sheets (held by all four corners),umbrellas of various sizes, a pillowcase, even a genuine silk parachute (it never even opened)that one of my uncles gave my mother “to make something nice put of”…something better than the dresses she made for my sisters and me out of the colorful calico chicken feed bags we used to get…actually pretty nice stuff!
I am frequently more than a little crazy. If I could fly there are people and places I would love to see (you included). There are also one or two this flying cow would like to ‘decorate’…
Ok, that one warranted, and got, a hearty laugh, EC!
I’m with you, Ellie Baby…on the decorating? Love it!!!
Love the photos. I agree with others, it does look chipper.
Two fantastic images appearing so perfectly frozen and quiet like… thanks Ron for always capturing and sharing such surreal images!
I think this original little “jump jet” is a LOT PRETTIER than its namesake…..thanks for the reminder of the inspiration……..
Soft colors, soft feathers…Such teeny, tiny feet…and those wonderful, puffy cheeks! I love these little guys…almost as cute as chiickadees….maybe JUST as cute. I’ve always been interested in the concept (and reality) of VTOL aircraft, especially after watching gulls take off into the wind. My uncles and one of my Aunts were pilots were interested in anything that flew…a young Japanese family friend came here many years ago to prepare for a career in VTOL planes. His uncle chose a bride for him, sent her over here, and when he met her at the airport, told her to go home, he’d changed his mind. She told him she was staying and they were getting married. Last I knew, they had three boys (Kuni did becomevan aeronautic engineer)….
Just love that little bird with such a happy face. Your captures are amazing as usual. Always razor sharp. Thanks.
Hi Ron,
Great images as always, and a trip down memory lane for me. I, too, admire the Harrier aircraft, and I was fortunate to see an early version British Aerospace Sea Harrier when it was introduced at the Paris Airshow. That was a million years ago – 1980 or 1981, as I recall. Thanks for the memories!
Cheers,
Dick
Amazing action shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
It is hard to beat your pictures, so detail, so clear.
The images look fine (on my laptop). I love the idea of any bird being a VTOL, and how smart they are about using the wind. It’s fabulous that you were able to catch this.
Fabulous first shot! This Western Kingbird makes vertical take off look so easy! It is amazing to think how far we have come in aviation because of our feathered friends!
Ron, first shot made me remember we tried to copy birds’ flight in designing aircraft. Thank you?
That’s right, Diana. It’s hard to beat natures design.