A photo that messes with my head.
1/800, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, canvas added, not baited, set up or called in
This is an older photo of an immature Rough-legged Hawk on Antelope Island. I spent a lot of time with ‘him’ as he basked in the morning sun and then preened and groomed to his heart’s content. I have many nice photos of him, which is why you may recognize the perch. I’ve posted several of them in the past.
But this one is different. He was inspecting his belly feathers and he was very serious about the inspection. It may look like I caught him as he was beginning to reach toward those belly feathers but he held this pose for quite a while as he scanned his belly to see if some of the feathers down there needed his attention. I have many photos of him in this somewhat unusual pose.
This photo gives my brain fits. If I look at his head for a few moments, all of a sudden my brain turns his head upside down with the tip of his bill pointing the wrong way and his gape in the wrong place. Once I’ve seen it that way I can’t see it any other way unless I look away for a few seconds and then look back. When I do that sometimes it flips back and sometimes it doesn’t.
It’s my guess that some of my viewers will be able to see it the way I do and some won’t. Or maybe it takes a clump of defective brain cells to make it work so I’ll be the only one.
Ron
Oh my gosh, finally saw it. Just stare at the eye!
Yup it’s there, it’s just a matter of seeing it, Sheila.
So much for the tie vote… 🙂
The dress is blue.
;D I did not see it. 😀
Thanks, Arwen. You broke the tie!
And I’ve never understood how anyone could see that dress as anything but blue and black.
At this point we have a tie – nine report seeing the illusion and nine report not being able to see it. Those results include myself and Richard’s wife.
This is the perfect post-Thanksgiving dinner image.
Sorry, as hard as I try, I can’t get it to flip completely; I only get so far. The gape being above the eye and the beak tip pointing up keeps his head upside-down. (Of course, I could never make out those “Magic Eye” pictures from the ’80s either, so that probably tells you something.)
Thanks for your feedback, Marty. I guess it’s time to tally up the results. Coming up.
It took me a bit of time, but I did finally “get” what you’re talking about. 😬
However, I prefer to just gaze at this little beauty as he gazes at his underside, contemplating flies or possibly lint … what a terrific image!
Thanks, Chris. Glad you like it.
I often see these kinds of illusions but this one escapes me. The tip of that beak always keeps that head oriented as it properly is, upside down in this case. As to those “flat flies”, they are known as hippoboscid flies. They are parasitic flies who spend their entire life amongst the feathers of birds. Some are parasites on only a particular species of bird and found only on specific places of those species. In such cases a fly within the belly feathers would never be found on the back ot elsewhere. An interesting world with many things not seen unless a very close inspection is made.
Wow, those are some picky parasites, Dan!
Fascinating information, Dan. I never knew that parasites were body-part specific.
I can see the illusion easily if I cover up his beak with my finger. If I don’t cover the beak it’s a little freaky a la The Exorcist.
I like the title of today’s post. A more down to earth alternative to “contemplating his navel”.
Those are some raggedy-ass tail feathers.
The rock is almost as interesting as the hawk.
Lyle, after this shot was taken he spent a LOT of time grooming his tail feathers. After that they looked much better.
I considered your alternative title. I liked it too.
Dear Dr. Rorschach,
I see it!
Lovely image.
“Dear Dr. Rorschach”
Thanks for the quick and easy advanced degree, Kathryn. And for the feedback.
Nope, can’t see it!
Thanks for the feedback, Barbara.
Nope. I have watched too many birds do this, it makes sense. One of my observations with this tummy inspection is waiting for a parasite in the plumage. Have you ever seen a flat fly? They are the one of two parasites that really freak Haley out and not much bothers her.
Nope, I’ve never seen a flat fly April. Except for the ones who have just been introduced to my flyswatter. Now you’ve got me curious.
https://entomologytoday.org/2015/05/18/hippoboscidae-flies-live-birth/
Thanks, April. What a fascinating critter. Since many flat flies are species specific regarding their hosts it makes me wonder if Roughies have their own version that parasitize only them.
Nope, despite loving the photo I can’t see it.
Love his fascination though.
Thanks, EC.
Too much turkey and pumpkin pie. Not sure if I see it or not, but I sure like the photo. Especially love the light and dark colors. I have never been to Antelope Island, but the composition of the rocks where he is perched look very interesting.
Thanks, Everett. I think you’d know it if you saw it.
The first thing I saw was the odd yellow line of the gape. And it looked like an eyebrow! I love it. I also love these birds. Something about the round head and the eye always makes me think of them as “sweet.”
“it looked like an eyebrow”
Sallie, I’m interpreting that to mean that you saw the illusion?
And I get a similar reaction from the shape of their head.
Yes, I saw the illusion.
Thanks for confirming.
Must be your own “very special” visual gift— I can’t see it ! However, when
I opened the image, right away I saw a fresh pineapple lying on its side with
the leaf cluster on the wrong end–see what you’ve started !
“see what you’ve started !”
Made me laugh, Kris. I hope you wouldn’t put that pineapple on a pizza!
“I hope you wouldn’t put that pineapple on a pizza!” Them’s fightin’ words, Dudley! 😈😂
Might as well put anchovies in a chocolate milkshake.
Never!
Anchovies are not more out of place in a chocolate milkshake than they are anywhere else. And yes, pineapple DOES go well on some pizzas – despite what the purists say.
Yes, flips for me, but only if I concentrate on it.
My first reaction was laughter! As Melanie says, a toddler, but I saw a somersault being considered. Beautiful colors in those feathers.
“I saw a somersault being considered”
Neat, now that you mention it I do too. The differences in individual perception are amazing.
I get it!
Good. Apparently some do and some don’t.
Neat photo! My brain is being “inflexible” this morning – can’t see it change….. 😉
Thanks, Judy. Maybe your brain is just being “normal”, whatever that is…
I love this cute Rough-legged Hawk! It reminds me of a toddler who has discovered the joy of looking between his legs! Count me as one without an imagination 🙁 I can’t see the illusion.
I like your comparison to a curious toddler, Melanie. Thanks for the feedback.
Melanie, your response reminds me of when baby house sparrows discover their own toes or those of a nest mate. The sparrows will watch their toes and peck or bite them then get unhappy because it hurt, sometimes blaming a nest mate for the pain they caused themselves. It’s like watching the Three Stooges, very entertaining in a stupid way.
Ron – Oh yes. both my wife and I can see the head rotate upside down, then notice the strange beak position. Neat illusion! And a very beautiful photo as well.
Good to know, Richard. 3 out of 3 so far. Gotta admit, I’m interested in how the stats on this will turn out.