Posted by Tim Buchanan on March 18, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I apologize for not being active in the forum lately, but I'm off exploring different areas of photography. Here's a bird (Hawk?) from the Chain of Rocks Bridge near St. Louis this weekend...
Posted by Larry Daniel on March 18, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Nice catch Tim. A bit surprising the hawk waited on you. Most around here are very shy of humans.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 18, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Nice combination of man & nature Tim. I like the graphic lines and way you've positioned the bird against the bright circular highlight. Great to have you posting, hope all is well.
Posted by David Parker on March 18, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Tim, I think this is a picture of a Peregrine Falcon. David Parker Steelville, Mo
Posted by Daniel Loomis on March 18, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I agree with David's ID. Here's a photo of a captive Peregrin from a seminar at Lake DeGray, AR. The markings are quite distinctive.
I second David's opinion on this being a peregrine falcon - oh my gosh, what a treat to capture one with a camera! Just in case you didn't know, these beautiful birds of prey are rarely seen in this part of the country. What a treat!!!!!
Back in high school, I wanted to take up falconry, and read everything I could get my hands on about falcons and hawks. The peregine is known to reach speeds over 200 mph in a stoop when hunting, making it the fastest animal on the planet. I also seem to remember reading about a pair that nested on a tall building in New York City a few years ago, so they apparently aren't too shy of humans. In fact, it's entirely possible that this is a large female that may be nesting on the bridge somewhere, and would be worth watching for anybody in the St. Louis area.
I have heard of them roosting on large building also, I have always wanted to see one. I think I may have up near Mt. View years ago but I kind of doubt that is what it really was. Probably just wishful thinking.
Really cool shot
Posted by Tim Buchanan on March 18, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Though a bird identification shot was about the last thing I intended for this image, I'm glad to know what kind of bird it is. There were at least two on the bridge that day - neither of whom seemed to care the least about the people walking underneath..
My apologies for not commenting on the image itself Tim. This has quite a majestic feel to it due to the low camera position and placement of the peregrine. And, of course the black and white conversion was definitely the way to go with this. Your composition is just magnificent...great vision in putting this one all together - truly one of my favorites of yours.
Considering that these birds have been used for hunting for thousands of years, and that they were once on the endangered species list, they are pretty special. I guess I got a little carried away with just seeing a photograph of one...good thing I wasn't there, I'd probably have fallen off the bridge!
Posted by Aaron Szabo on March 19, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I guess you found a rare one! It's very different, but I like it. What other ares of photography are you exploring. I may check out your blog to see if I can find out.
Tim really a beautiful image the lines and placement of the hawk really makes a strong compostion. There's another website you might really enjoy 1x.com. They feature images in your kind of style alot. I have few images on it but no longer submit to them although they seam to feature more landscape and nature than they used to.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on March 20, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Thanks for the comments.
Gale, thanks for the link, they really have some great photography. At least, I'll spend quite a few hours looking. It reminds me of the collections in LensWork. And you're right - it is more like the kind of stuff I'm interested in.
Aaron - I've dumped a lot on my blog during the last few weeks, and it gives a pretty good idea of where I am at, but perhaps not where I'm going!
Tim, If it is the kind of stuff you like just sign up and submit an image. You might pick this one or one of your favorites and see how the sight works. The image gets voted on then it goes to a sceener. Then it published or rejected. Kind of a cool process and you might learn alot more from some of there critic. Anyway let me know if you decide to and get any published. It is a cool site and has a great community.
Discussion
12 repliesBack in high school, I wanted to take up falconry, and read everything I could get my hands on about falcons and hawks. The peregine is known to reach speeds over 200 mph in a stoop when hunting, making it the fastest animal on the planet. I also seem to remember reading about a pair that nested on a tall building in New York City a few years ago, so they apparently aren't too shy of humans. In fact, it's entirely possible that this is a large female that may be nesting on the bridge somewhere, and would be worth watching for anybody in the St. Louis area.
THANKS FOR SHARING!
Really cool shot
Considering that these birds have been used for hunting for thousands of years, and that they were once on the endangered species list, they are pretty special. I guess I got a little carried away with just seeing a photograph of one...good thing I wasn't there, I'd probably have fallen off the bridge!
Gale, thanks for the link, they really have some great photography. At least, I'll spend quite a few hours looking. It reminds me of the collections in LensWork. And you're right - it is more like the kind of stuff I'm interested in.
Aaron - I've dumped a lot on my blog during the last few weeks, and it gives a pretty good idea of where I am at, but perhaps not where I'm going!