Final Approach

Gallery: AvianPosted April 25, 20161,035 views3 comments

Sandhill crane landing. I noticed the rear wing feathers in the up position, similar to "flaps up" when an airplane lands. Wondering if the bird has the ability to move these feathers to the up position or if this is just a function of the air flow dynamics. D800e, Sigma 150-600 S @ 600, F9, 1/2500, ISO 1000. Seeking honest critique regarding this image. Thanks in advance.

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 25, 2016 at 11:42 AM

Nice flight/landing shot. Good question about the landing flaps.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 25, 2016 at 5:37 PM

Hard to say, Jim. Birds can control their feathers in amazing ways, but I don't think they can curve them like this, so I suspect it's just air flow doing it. I love the pose. To my eye, the larger image looks a bit soft.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 25, 2016 at 10:09 PM

Not sure about the the flaps Jim, but I personally think it is the air flow. Can't imagine they can move those lower feathers like that, but I do think they know how to position themselves in flight to take advantage of the air flow and create this movement.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments