Common Buzzard (w)

I was out looking for damsel and dragonflies the other day when I came across this beautiful chap (or chappess). I couldn't believe my eyes, I have never seen a bird of prey in the wild before and although I knew we had them in our local park area, in the three years I have been visiting with my camera, I have never been lucky enough to see one.

He was perched on top of a lamp post next to the pond when I arrived. I approached slowly and quietly thinking he would take off once he heard me but no, he stayed put. In fact, he spent the whole time in the area, occasionally changing his vantage point and then going back to the lamp post.

I spent a good hour with him, he let me within six feet of him, it was such an amazing experience for me, I was awe struck. He was just so beautiful. I have waited so long for an opportunity like this and finally it came along totally unexpected.

I think he was after the ducklings, I could hear a mummy duck making a sound every few minutes and guess he was waiting for his opportunity, thankfully he didn't swoop on anything while I was there. I know it's nature but I wouldn't like to see the ducklings attacked as I know the mother gets distraught when it happens.

I intend to go back there in the hope I will see him again if I stick to around the same time, I guess it's inevitable if I keep seeing him that I will sooner or later see him swoop so I shall try to prepare myself.

Anyway, here is just one of the 340 shots I took, resized and lightly sharpened, no other altering.

Enjoy

Alison

*ist DL2,
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6,260mm,
iso 800,
f6.7,
1/180 sec,
handheld.

Astonishing stuff, I reckon it's a young one, there's a hint of a gape. Nicely taken and love the expression.



Tim
PS I think the rules are 720 pixels at the most on the longest side.

Hello Alison
Tim's right about the image size.
Very nice image of the buzzard which shows well against the dark BG. I like it.
Best wishes
Phil

Umm, what's "gape"?

Alison

Oops, sorry about the image size, I did resize to 640 x 480 and thought that would be right.

Alison

Hi Alison,
Nice close up image, the gape is the wide bit at the base of the birds bill, it is still quite bright and wide which denotes a young bird.

Brian

AGGHHH it's the attack of the 50ft Buzzard

My only crit, is I would have had my camera on a tripod and closed down to f8/f11 to give a bit more DOF on the OOF wing feathers

A superb opputnity

WOW wish it was mine,always fly when i get close enough

Well done, nice capture.
The "gape`` is the yellow bit at the back of the beak which all young birds have.
Regds
SteveHL

You know, it's funny, I did wonder if it was a young one at the time. Glad I now know what the gape is.

As for setting up a tripod to increase DOF, no way would I have had time to do that! lol! The ground was very uneven, it would have taken time to get it level and by then Mr Buzzard would have flown off to another spot! lol!

Thank you for the lovely comments, I have to say, I am very proud of this set of photos, am still thinking about it today, what a wonderful experience it was, I still can't believe it to be honest! lol!

Alison

I was in a similar position with a young buzzard last year and know from that experience that trying to use a tripod is just too much activity for the bird to put up with. If you're lucky you should get a few days photography out of it. If it is flying from perch to perch try to 2nd guess its next move and get between it and its next perch, this will give you the oportunity to get short flight shots with it coming towards you.
Cheers,
John

Yes, that's what I wanted to get, a shot of him flying toward me. At one point he was flying straight toward my face at the same height but I was so in awe that I just wasn't quick enough with the camera. I can't believe how graceful these birds are and the lovely sound of the air on their wings, so different to when a pidgeon or similar takes off, different sound and sight altogether, amazing.

Alison

What a wonderful experience for you, and you have the images.... take Johns advice, go back and I'm sure the opportunities will present themselves..

How exciting this experience must have been for you. You did well to keep your head and get good shots. Hopefully we will see some more. Well done. They are gorgeous birds.

Lovely Alison - what a wonderful opportunity - make the most of it while you can. Hope you get some flight shots.

John

Well, I know that the buzzards are resident up that end of the park and other people have often talked about spotting them from time to time, all year round so I think from now on I will make more effort to go up there, all seasons.

Do they have a particular time of day when they are more likely to be visible?

Alison

Very nice image, if a little too big! Did you manage to get hold of the book i recommended?
Rene de Heer