Bat Falcon

Gallery: AvianPosted January 27, 2010262 views16 comments

One of many photos I made of this unique raptor in Panama. Their claim to fame is that they hunt during dusk and dive on bats from behind where the bats are not able to detect them. They also feed on small birds and insects. This falcon was with its mate and juvenile on a dead tree.

Canon 1D Mk3
Canon 600mm w/ 1.4x TC
ISO 250, 1/1250 @ f/7.1
Gitzo tripod
LR2, crop, sharpen, some curves adj.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 28, 2010 at 2:43 AM

Beautiful image of a bird I've never seen or heard of.
Nice colors, eye, and perch here. The underside of the tail might be lightened up a tad to show more detail.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 28, 2010 at 6:02 AM

Very nice Bryan - like the slight tilt of the head. It reminds me of the hobbies.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 28, 2010 at 7:07 AM

I really like this photo and the composition with the perch jutting into the frame. I hope to see this species when I head down to Central America this year

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 28, 2010 at 8:53 AM

Nicely done Bryan. The undertail doesn't bother me. It looks light enough on my monitor.
Cool species !

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 28, 2010 at 9:34 AM

Really beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing this shot as I've never seen this species. The underside of the tail looks just fine to me.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 28, 2010 at 10:31 AM

Beautiful. Love the pose and eye contact

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 28, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Very nicely done!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 28, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Interesting looking bird, fine pose and head turn, Bryan. I expect that avoiding blowing the whites in the neck was a challenge. Although I can't see much detail there, it looks to me like you did it successfully.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 28, 2010 at 3:20 PM

Good pose - cool bird.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 28, 2010 at 4:04 PM

What a great falcon Bryan. I have heard of these, but I have never seen one. Thanks for posting.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 28, 2010 at 4:47 PM

Bryan,

It must have been fascinating to photograph this species. I too had heard of it but I don't believe I've ever seen one in a photograph. Nicely done!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 28, 2010 at 8:16 PM

Excellent image Bryan.

May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on January 28, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on January 29, 2010 at 6:15 AM

Very pretty little falcon. Well done, I like the pose and head tilt....nice composition. I would be nice to see the tail brightened up a bit.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on January 30, 2010 at 7:51 PM

very nice ...

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Shelton on January 30, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Outstanding. I love the pose and the lighting is just great.

Registered on October 2, 2007, 14 Posts, 1029 Comments