Rough-legged Hawk Inspecting His Belly

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

47 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh, finally saw it. Just stare at the eye!

  2. Arwen Professional Joy Seeker

    The dress is blue.

    ;D I did not see it. 😀

  3. 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.

  4. 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.)

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Dear Dr. Rorschach,
    I see it!
    Lovely image.

  9. Nope, can’t see it!

  10. 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.

  11. Nope, despite loving the photo I can’t see it.
    Love his fascination though.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.”

  14. 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 !

  15. 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.

  16. I get it!

  17. Neat photo! My brain is being “inflexible” this morning – can’t see it change….. 😉

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

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