Category: Behaviors
Feet-forward Takeoff From A Loggerhead Shrike
With birds it’s quite often the little things that grab my attention and they don’t come much smaller than this. It was subtle and quick, very quick, but it’s one of the strategies that can make the difference between a meal and going hungry. 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in Yesterday morning on Antelope Island I caught this Loggerhead Shrike swallowing a spider (the island is absolutely loaded with spiders – the state park actually holds an annual Spider Festival). The shrike hunted from this perch for about 5 minutes – launching after potential prey and then returning to the same hunting platform. When this shot was taken the sun was behind a cloud so I decided to crank up my ISO to get a little more shutter speed for takeoff shots. Even at ISO 1250 I needed more SS than this to get the wings of the incredibly fast bird sharp at takeoff but I was already at a higher ISO than I almost ever go. 1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in Thankfully the sun came out four minutes later and doubled my shutter speed. An instant after this photo was taken the shrike spotted prey (probably an insect or another spider) directly in front of it. In a typical takeoff the shrike would avoid any obstacles by altering its direction of…
Update On The Red-tailed Hawk Chicks Whose Nest Was Blown Down
Several readers requested that I report back about the status of these chicks when I learned anything new.
Red-naped Sapsuckers At The Nest Cavity
This is one of those situations that tempts unscrupulous photographers into unethical behaviors.
This Is What Can Happen When A Red-tailed Hawk Nest Is Blown Down
The shortsightedness and thoughtlessness of mankind aren’t the only threats to nesting birds. Natural events can play a role too.
Fledgling Short Eared Owl Siblings
For most folks very young owls have oodles of appeal and for me fledgling Short-eared Owls are at the top of the list.
Kingbird Riding The Back Of A Red-tailed Hawk In Flight With Prey
These are poor quality shots but they include two interesting behaviors from two different species so I thought they were worth a look-see.
Common Nighthawks – Why Do They Keep Their Eyes Closed When They’re perched?
Western Grebes “Chick Dumping”
This is one of the more interesting bird behaviors I’ve photographed and it’s always entertaining to watch.
“Swainson’s Hawk Rock” Earns Its Name Once Again
Red-tailed Hawk Takeoff And Flight Series
I believe this to be the male of the Red-tailed Hawk pair I’ve been following since early spring.
Swainson’s Hawk Reacting To A Surprise Harrier Attack
Sometimes when I think a hawk is about to take off there’s actually something completely different and unexpected about to happen.
Bald Eagle Eating Lunch On The Wing
One of the reasons I like this image is because the eagle’s white head and the light fish are highlighted so well against the dark wing.
Angry Northern Harrier Coming In For A Fight
Fighting harriers are both exciting and challenging to photograph – especially for neophyte bird photographers.
Mating Red-tailed Hawks And A First Look At The Resulting Chicks
Yesterday morning I was able to get my first glimpse of the chicks of the nesting Red-tailed Hawks I’ve been watching since early spring.
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Feet-forward Takeoff From A Loggerhead Shrike
With birds it’s quite often the little things that grab my attention and they don’t come much smaller than this. It was subtle and quick, very quick, but it’s one of the strategies that can make the difference between a meal and going hungry. 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in Yesterday morning on Antelope Island I caught this Loggerhead Shrike swallowing a spider (the island is absolutely loaded with spiders – the state park actually holds an annual Spider Festival). The shrike hunted from this perch for about 5 minutes – launching after potential prey and then returning to the same hunting platform. When this shot was taken the sun was behind a cloud so I decided to crank up my ISO to get a little more shutter speed for takeoff shots. Even at ISO 1250 I needed more SS than this to get the wings of the incredibly fast bird sharp at takeoff but I was already at a higher ISO than I almost ever go. 1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in Thankfully the sun came out four minutes later and doubled my shutter speed. An instant after this photo was taken the shrike spotted prey (probably an insect or another spider) directly in front of it. In a typical takeoff the shrike would avoid any obstacles by altering its direction of…
Update On The Red-tailed Hawk Chicks Whose Nest Was Blown Down
Several readers requested that I report back about the status of these chicks when I learned anything new.
Red-naped Sapsuckers At The Nest Cavity
This is one of those situations that tempts unscrupulous photographers into unethical behaviors.
This Is What Can Happen When A Red-tailed Hawk Nest Is Blown Down
The shortsightedness and thoughtlessness of mankind aren’t the only threats to nesting birds. Natural events can play a role too.
Fledgling Short Eared Owl Siblings
For most folks very young owls have oodles of appeal and for me fledgling Short-eared Owls are at the top of the list.
Kingbird Riding The Back Of A Red-tailed Hawk In Flight With Prey
These are poor quality shots but they include two interesting behaviors from two different species so I thought they were worth a look-see.
Common Nighthawks – Why Do They Keep Their Eyes Closed When They’re perched?
Western Grebes “Chick Dumping”
This is one of the more interesting bird behaviors I’ve photographed and it’s always entertaining to watch.
“Swainson’s Hawk Rock” Earns Its Name Once Again
Red-tailed Hawk Takeoff And Flight Series
I believe this to be the male of the Red-tailed Hawk pair I’ve been following since early spring.
Swainson’s Hawk Reacting To A Surprise Harrier Attack
Sometimes when I think a hawk is about to take off there’s actually something completely different and unexpected about to happen.
Bald Eagle Eating Lunch On The Wing
One of the reasons I like this image is because the eagle’s white head and the light fish are highlighted so well against the dark wing.
Angry Northern Harrier Coming In For A Fight
Fighting harriers are both exciting and challenging to photograph – especially for neophyte bird photographers.
Mating Red-tailed Hawks And A First Look At The Resulting Chicks
Yesterday morning I was able to get my first glimpse of the chicks of the nesting Red-tailed Hawks I’ve been watching since early spring.