Fred Amico wrote: ^^ I love that first one, Bruce!
Thanks Fred...
I spent over two hours with this owl, and had some nice opportunities to do some portraits of it. Unfortunately, it was not much of a flyer. This mature owl was content to look around and sleep on occasion, a behavior that differs from what I have observed many times in the past. After about two hours of staring through the viewfinder, I let my guard down and wouldn't you know it... a flight towards and away. It was brief, but doable... sadly, I missed the opportunity . This is the great fun and frustration in wildlife photography. The unpredictable nature of our subjects serve as a challenge and motivation to make the best images whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Few few from over the Christmas break. All shot with the D500 and 500mm PF. The last image I was playing with lower shutter speeds. Normally shoot minimum 1/1600 for Eagles in flight but the D500 is insane here with just 1/800
Eric214 wrote:
Few few from over the Christmas break. All shot with the D500 and 500mm PF. The last image I was playing with lower shutter speeds. Normally shoot minimum 1/1600 for Eagles in flight but the D500 is insane here with just 1/800
EyeSpyEagle wrote:
Super set Eric.
The BE shots are excellent! A Bald Eagle & Peregrine Falcon in the same image... WOW!
Regards,
Phil
Thank you Phil. There are few Peregrine's at Conowingo Dam and they pester the Eagles some. The Eagles show their talons and the Peregrine's just move on. Size matters at the Dam 😂
OwlsEyes wrote:
Thanks Fred...
I spent over two hours with this owl, and had some nice opportunities to do some portraits of it. Unfortunately, it was not much of a flyer. This mature owl was content to look around and sleep on occasion, a behavior that differs from what I have observed many times in the past. After about two hours of staring through the viewfinder, I let my guard down and wouldn't you know it... a flight towards and away. It was brief, but doable... sadly, I missed the opportunity . This is the great fun and frustration in wildlife photography. The unpredictable nature of our subjects serve as a challenge and motivation to make the best images whenever the opportunity presents itself.
I've had this happen to me so many times i began thinking that it wasn't coincidental. Watching, watching, watching and you turn away or look away and off the bird goes. Here's my half-baked theory; Remaining motionless is a defense mechanism for many species of wildlife. Consider how much stronger a bird's vision is compared to our own. Our eyes and lenses must look like canons pointed at these birds. Could it be that they are waiting for us to look away before they make a move ? There are most certainly many here who know much more about behavior than I do. In fact, this may be obvious to some. Just something I've been thinking about.
sum1sgrampa wrote:
I've had this happen to me so many times i began thinking that it wasn't coincidental. Watching, watching, watching and you turn away or look away and off the bird goes. Here's my half-baked theory; Remaining motionless is a defense mechanism for many species of wildlife. Consider how much stronger a bird's vision is compared to our own. Our eyes and lenses must look like canons pointed at these birds. Could it be that they are waiting for us to look away before they make a move ? There are most certainly many here who know much more about behavior than I do. In fact, this may be obvious to some. Just something I've been thinking about. ...Show more →
I've certainly noticed that certain birds will stay put as you keep looking at them and then the second you look away they are off. So I think there is a behaviour where they do this....at least some speicies.
Snowy from today. I've seen lots of them this winter but this was the closest one has been. Of course he was here for a while so I moved on for a few and when I was walking back he came up over some brush and was gone before I could even get my camera up. Landed a good distance away fo course (the far shot)
sum1sgrampa wrote:
I've had this happen to me so many times i began thinking that it wasn't coincidental. Watching, watching, watching and you turn away or look away and off the bird goes. Here's my half-baked theory; Remaining motionless is a defense mechanism for many species of wildlife. Consider how much stronger a bird's vision is compared to our own. Our eyes and lenses must look like canons pointed at these birds. Could it be that they are waiting for us to look away before they make a move ? There are most certainly many here who know much more about behavior than I do. In fact, this may be obvious to some. Just something I've been thinking about. ...Show more →
I frequently see the same with some of the larger dragonflies. Even when your body doesn't move, just turn your head a bit (e.g. to make a small adjustment on the camera) or look away for a moment and they are gone.
This Eagle has learned NOT to advertise his meals. The constant aerial fighting for a catch has taught this Eagle to cover his catch with is tail feathers.
D500 500mm PF @ 1/2000 f5.6 ISO500 full manual.
This one... not so much and was ambushed by another adult. Never saw him coming till it was too late.
. This is the great fun and frustration in wildlife photography. The unpredictable nature of our subjects serve as a challenge and motivation to make the best images whenever the opportunity presents itself. 
