Caracara

Gallery: AvianPosted December 4, 2012218 views13 comments

This Caracara was coming in to land at a peregrine falcon kill site. A peregrine had killed a coot during first light and ate most of it. However, it left just enough to attract this bird. She finished off the coot and went on her way. Oh, and don't let the leg bands fool you, this is a completely wild bird. They are a species of concern here in FL, so many young females are captured and fitted with these bands. Good information on movements and survival.

Canon 1DM4
500mm + 1.4x
ISO 800
1/1000s
f/5.6
Manual exp.
Hand held

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on December 4, 2012 at 5:19 PM

WOW! What a great capture. Wing position and detail are outstanding.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 4, 2012 at 5:48 PM

Terrific - another first rate image.

Numbers of this species here in AZ seem stable and maybe even on the increase. But still very limited and requiring a special trip just to get a distant glimpse.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on December 4, 2012 at 6:19 PM

great light, stunning pose and detail, caracara is on my bucket list, well done and three thumbs up

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 4, 2012 at 7:17 PM

Another awesome flight shot in sweet light

Nice wing position and perfectly fanned tail. Excellent exposure work.

Sweet One Ron!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 4, 2012 at 8:03 PM

Awesome lighting - especially compared to the last duck you posted. I hope to get this species on my next trip to FL

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

Comment posted by Fred Laberge on December 4, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Great skill in capturing him in mid-flight, Ron. I really like the curl of the feather tips, showing how the bird controls his mid-air movements.

Registered on December 2, 2012, 3 Posts, 17 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 5, 2012 at 2:42 PM

Wonderful landing pose and I like how the soft light adds to the image. Amazing to see how their wings spread out to put on the brakes. I have yet to see one of these, excellent shot Ron.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on December 5, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Wow! You have a winner here, Ron!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 6, 2012 at 5:47 PM

Nice light and detail and great wing position! Very well done.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Vanessa Caccamise on December 8, 2012 at 8:14 AM

Stunning!

Registered on February 7, 2012, 17 Posts, 57 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 9, 2012 at 11:44 AM

Very sharp, Ron. I can even read the band! Great landing pose and wonderful light.