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| p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Finally.... some mid-air food transfer actions from mom to chick PF! | |
I tried and I tried, and finally, I was able to capture 2 decent sequences of mid-air food transfer from mom to one of her chicks this season. In total, I saw 3 sequences but the 3rd one took place too far away for my location to show any meaningful images. There was only a fairly narrow window of 3-4 weeks when they do that. This is the way for the parents to make the chicks “work” for their food. In both sequences, I started tracking the mom quite early on. She carried the prey using her claws first; when she got fairly close to the spot where the chick was waiting, she transferred the food and carried it using her beak to let the chick grab the food easier. What a parent!
I went to the location 6 times for 3 to 4 hours during that 3-4-week period. Last year, I saw a decent sequence but my gear using an adapted lens wasn’t up to snuff and I didn’t get any decent images. The bottom line is, it is really about being there at the right location and at the right time and yes, using some competent gear  .
Here are images of the 2 sequences of the mid-air food transfer from this season in just a single post. The sensitively of the AF was set to responsive in the first set. It would focus on what’s in the focus area fast. So, when the target was outside the AF area, and at my age, it happens quite often, the camera focused on the background and I lost 3 important frames due to OOF that way. When I had the target back within the focusing frame, the AF zipped right back and I got only the last frame in the sequence. The prey was almost fully hidden by the receiving falcons chick; only a part of the foot was showing… Oh, well. I switched back the sensitivity setting to “Locked On” right away after that. The second sequence took place higher than my position and closer, too. I tracked the mom carrying the food for quite sometime but I could not include the chick that came at a steeper angle until it was fairly close to mom and about to grab the food. And yes, it was a more complete sequence.
I was there at the falcon location the day before yesterday, hoping to get one last action but I went home empty-handed. I saw only the dad falcon and he called out to his chicks and/or mate but no one showed up. The chicks are big enough to fend for themselves and who knows where they are and where his mate is now. That was the end of the falcon season, at least for me. I will come back next year in February.
Thank you for stopping by and please feel free to leave any feedback,
Joshua
First sequence - #1 Mom approaching
First sequence - #2
First sequence - #3
First sequence - #4
First sequence - #5
First sequence - #6
First sequence - #7 This is it!
First sequence - #8 I got it, I got it!
Edited on Jul 12, 2020 at 09:02 AM · View previous versions
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. Great sets, Joshua. I particularly like #4 of the 1st set because of the chick's expression! YEMV ... You've Earned My Vote!