Raptors in particular are known for repeatedly using the same perch, sometimes over a period of years. And sometimes they’re used by more than one raptor species so it behooves the bird photographer to check them out regularly. If raptors like’m, I like’m – even when they’re less than photogenic.
- Sorry, no image techs today. I simply ran out of time.
Three days ago I spent some time with this cooperative Short-eared Owl perched on an ancient fence post. The post is part of a very old gate that is very rarely used but because it’s a gate post it’s a little sturdier than the others and it has lots of rusty barbed wire wrapped around it almost from top to bottom to support other parts of the fence and gate.
I prefer to avoid wire in my photos (especially when it’s barbed because of its danger to birds and wildlife) but some of this wire comes up so high on the post it can’t be cropped out of my images.
For several years breeding Burrowing Owls had a burrow at the base of the same gate and when their youngsters fledged they would use the posts of the gate for flight and landing practice. I photographed these two fledgling siblings on the gate 3 years ago on 6/22/15. I spent many summer mornings photographing young owls at this gate over several years and it brings back fond memories, despite the wire.
I drive by the gate regularly and because of my history with it I always carefully scope it for birds and 3 days ago it paid off with the Short-eared Owl.
Some blog readers may remember this large rock I’ve photographed several Swainson’s Hawks using as a perch. Coming from the south I can’t see the rock from the road because I have to negotiate a curve and a hill before it abruptly comes into view but I’ve learned to drive very slowly just in case there’s a bird on it.
This is the female of a mated pair that regularly perched on the rock two years ago.
And this is the male, her mate, the following morning. As you can see from their relaxed stretching poses they both felt quite at home here.
So much at home that they mated on it.
On one morning I’ll never forget I topped the hill and rounded the curve going a little too fast and flushed a beautiful Golden Eagle off of this rock. I learned my lesson – drive extra slowly coming over that hill!
This ancient snag was a favorite perch for American Kestrels at Farmington Bay WMA for years, perhaps for generations. It was always sidelit in the mornings but with the shaded Wasatch Mountains in the background that could make for some pretty dramatic images. I took many photos of this male as he stretched and preened but I probably have hundreds of photos of other kestrels on the same perch taken over many years. In fact, I don’t believe I have photos of any species other than kestrels on this perch.
But some years ago the snag was suddenly no longer there. It was so old I suspect it just toppled over and disappeared in the vegetation where I couldn’t see it.
I still miss it and I’ll bet the kestrels do too.
Ron
Great images Ron! I really love your kestrel images.
We put up 16 foot tall 4 x 4 in posts with a 2 foot 1 x 2 in perch on top around our property to give raptors a place to perch and eat gophers. They seem to make a big difference, especially with Great Horned Owls. I read somewhere that the telephone pole was a big factor in the distribution of Swainson’s Hawks in the west.
You have probably seen, an perhaps wondered about, raptors using metal tee posts as perches. I think I remember seeing those cold metal posts being used by raptors out by you on some very cold winter days. They look so uncomfortable and yet the raptors seem to utilize them a lot.
Lovely series, I have my favorite perches too. We are creatures of habit.
So very true, especially me…!
The last picture is simply beautiful!
Thank you!
I’m glad you think so, Adele. Thanks.
Ron, what a wonderful series of photos you have for us today. I’m not sure I can pick out a favorite but if forced, I would pick the short-eared owl with those beautiful eyes.
I grew up with wooden fences and should have appreciated their “beauty”. I’ll have to pay much more attention to fence posts after reading this article.
Thanks, Ron
Appreciate the old wooden ones while you can, Alice – they’re disappearing fast.
I have favourite perches too (sans devil wire). Fortunately I am nothing like as decorative as any of these charmers and need not fear the papparazzi.
Yet more stunners today. And oh, that kestrel…
I think we all have favorite perches in that sense, EC… 🙂 Thank you.
They are all great images, but I have to agree with those who really like the Kestrel.
Any picture you take and post of a Raptor is a given!
I’m almost there $$ for a 500mm is there anything else I need to consider?
Nothing that I’m sure you haven’t already thought of, Dick. It’s quite a step – congrats on almost being there!
Oh, I’m sure you’re going to want a tripod. Make sure it’s one that can handle that lens.
Wow, so many fantastic shots. At first glance I thought I was looking at a cyclops kestrel. What a great look at the tail feathers with their raggedy ends.
Lyle, after this shot was taken he really worked those feathers over. They needed it.
Love the potpourri of birds ❗️
Have a great day 😁
Thanks, Diana.
All great shots Ron, especially love the Kestrel with the tail feathers spread out like that. You are right about the raptors and their favorite perches. Our adult eagles here can be found on their favorite spots about 90% of the time. Interesting though to watch the two juveniles who are now about 17 weeks old. They perch just about anywhere and never use one of their parent’s favorite spots. You have to be really looking around because they will pop up at lots of places you would not expect.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Yup, young birds usually have to fend for themselves when it comes to perches, Everett. Thank you.
Hi Everett
Our juveniles are still trying to work those big wings and talons❗️ We have found them on mom and dads favorite spots. Go figure 😃
Lovely shots, Ron, and thanks for another good lesson about finding birds. There’s something almost romantic about those old whitewashed wooden fence posts for me (minus the devil wire, of course!). On our trip, I noticed that several fences around Northern Arizona had thicker non-barbed wire and some (barbed and non-barbed) had clips to pull up the bottom rung every so often; I’m presuming to make it safer for other animals. It was interesting to see.
Some ranchers are at least experimenting with barbless wire. I hope the trend grows. Thanks, Marty.
It’s interesting to know that birds, especially raptors, use the same perches over and over. I think my favorite perches from prior posts were the raptor sitting on the fake owl that was supposed to keep birds away, and a sign that said “no parking” (or something similar). I think both were on Antelope Island. I hope that even though the Kestrel snag is gone that you are still seeing Kestrels. They have become one of my all-time favorite birds.
Susan, I have another recent photo of a SEO perched on a sign that I think you might enjoy. Maybe I’ll post it soon.
I still see kestrels at Farmington but not as many as I used too.
I hope you do post it, Ron. 🙂
Such beautiful photos Ron 🙂 Have a good weekend.
You too, Zaph. Thanks.
Hi! Great photo’s! Keep up the wonderful shooting! Have a great day~
Thank you, HL.
Wow! You’ve outdone yourself Ron!!
Charlotte
Thanks very much, Charlotte.
Gorgeous birds and tutorial, Ron. 🙂 The Kestrel is amazing! The birds do have preferred perches for sure. I’ve noticed it even with little fly catchers in the summer. GHO’s have them also as noted by the pellets on the ground if nothing else. Have one old cottonwood that is now totally dead that all sorts of raptors/other birds like – how long it will last?…….. We still have many old wooden posts since we no longer have cows – barbed wire or not they work! 😉 Oh, and the power line over the creek is another preferred perch – Kingfisher’s have showed up and like it as do others.
Flycatchers are notorious for using the same perch to repeatedly hawk insects in the air – around here kingbirds especially. Thank you, Judy.
It’s not just raptors either! I know a reliable perch that a female Eastern bluebird goes to kill or knock out insects before flying to her nest, and I’ve seen something similar with Phoebes. I also do in fact love those Swainson’s hawk shots, especially the male.
Agreed, Xavier – “it’s not just raptors”. And that’s a good thing for the bird photographer who pays attention!
Love all the photos! That Kestrel…what a little beauty…they have that ‘harlequin’ look about them that is so pleasing. I have found the repeated use of the same perches to be true also but unfortunately we here in the midwest are not as fortunate to have the rustic wooden posts that you do…the powers to be prefer the metal poles. Even when they age with rust it’s hard to find them to be aesthetically pleasing! 🙁
Boy, do I agree about metal posts! They’re nothing but ugly, especially when they aren’t old and rusted. In this area many of the wooden posts are so old they’re now being replaced by painted green metal ones with white tops. Grrrr…. Thanks, Kathy.