Diurnal Raptors – Page 66 – Feathered Photography

Raptor Images Demonstrating That “Little Things” Can Make Or Break A Shot

The little things that so often negatively impact the appeal of an image often drive me to distraction.

Peregrine Falcon In Flight After Dining On Duck

Peregrine Falcons aren’t noted for their table manners and this one needed just a little cleaning up after dinner.

Hunting Northern Harrier Turning Away From Me In Flight

I like to get the interesting ventral plumage patterns of Northern Harriers in my images whenever I can. They tend to fly low when hunting so I don’t often get a good look at the underside of both tail and wings in the same shot. But this bird cooperated for an instant and I happened to fire my shutter at just the right moment.

Anticipating Wintering Bald Eagles At Farmington Bay

With eagles on my mind during the drive home this morning I thought I’d post on Farmington eagles today.

Golden Eagle In Flight (no wires this time)

Some of my readers are aware of my continuing quest for quality images of Golden Eagles in flight. I’m not there yet but I think I’m making progress.

Red-tailed Hawk Just Prior To Reaching Prey

This first photo isn’t a classic buteo flight shot but I believe it’s fairly unique for a non-baited image. I’ve occasionally been able to capture raptors as they’re about to land on a predictable perch but this is the first and only time I’ve been able to get a shot I like pretty well of a raptor as it’s about to (or attempt to) “land” on prey it’s seen from a far-away perch.

An Accipiter Preying On Rodents Instead Of Small Birds

Yesterday morning was my first experience with an Accipiter preying on rodents instead of the small birds that they’re best known for eating.

The Function of Ocelli (false eyes) In Raptors

Some falcons, hawks and owls have two ocelli (eye-like patches or “false eyes”) on the back of their head. Their function may not be as presumed.

Rough-legged Hawk At Farmington Bay

I photographed my first Rough-legged Hawk of the season four days ago. The last time I’d photographed them prior to that had been on January 27, 2014 so it had been 285 days in-between opportunities with this species that spends much of the year in the high arctic. Hopefully that gives me an excuse to post images of roughies twice within just a few days.

Golden Eagle – Out, Damn’d Wires, Out!

I have a small list of personal nemesis species but if forced to choose the top contender it would have to be the shy and elusive Golden Eagle. I’d estimate that I get a reasonable chance with one of these birds about two times per year and every time something goes wrong that prevents me from getting the photos I covet so much. Two mornings ago it was those ever-pesky power lines.