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(Circaetus gallicus)


(Circaetus gallicus)
Photo Information
Copyright: Jose Diogo (josediogo1958) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 494 W: 27 N: 1837] (11747)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-08-16
Categories: Birds
Camera: canon 1 dx mark 2, Canon 500mm f4 L IS, Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
Exposure: f/8, 1/2500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2012-08-17 4:17
Viewed: 2478
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Nº 91 species photographed..

"The Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) also known as Short-toed Eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers.

This is an Old World species spread throughout the Mediterranean basin and into Russia and the Middle East, and into parts of Asia, mainly in the Indian Subcontinent and also further east in some Indonesian islands).

Those present on the northern edge of the Mediterranean and other parts of Europe migrate mainly to sub-Saharan Africa north of the equator, leaving in September/October and returning in April/May. In the Middle and Far East the populations are resident. In Europe it is most numerous in Spain where it is fairly common but elsewhere it is rare in many parts of its range. A bird on the Isles of Scilly, Britain, in October 1999 was the first confirmed record for that country.

The Short-toed Snake Eagle is found in open cultivated plains, arid stony deciduous scrub areas and foothills and semi-desert areas. It requires trees for nesting.

Adults are 62–67 cm (2 ft 0 in–2 ft 2 in) long with a 170–185 cm (5 ft 7 in–6 ft 1 in) wingspan and weigh 1.2–2.3 kg (2.6–5.1 lb).[1] They can be recognised in the field by their predominantly white underside, the upper parts being greyish brown. The chin, throat and upper breast are a pale, earthy brown. The tail has 3 or 4 bars. Additional indications are an owl-like rounded head, brightly yellow eyes and lightly barred under wing.
The Short-toed Snake Eagle is an accomplished flyer and spends more time on the wing than do most members of its genus. It favours soaring over hill slopes and hilltops on updraughts, and it does much of its hunting from this position at heights of up to 500 meters (550 yards). When quartering open country it frequently hovers like a Kestrel. When it soars it does so on flattish wings.

Its prey is mostly reptiles, mainly snakes, but also some lizards. Sometimes they become entangled with larger snakes and battle on the ground.[2] Occasionally, they prey on small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and rarely birds and large insects.

This eagle is generally very silent. On occasions, it emits a variety of musical whistling notes. When breeding, it lays only one egg; it can live up to 17 years.

The Short-toed Snake Eagle has suffered a steep decline in numbers and range in Europe and is now rare and still decreasing in several countries due to changes in agriculture and land use. It needs protection.In the middle and far eastern part of its range, this species is not yet threatened."(Wiki)

Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Software: PhotoScape
Exposure Time: 1/2656
F-Stop: f/8.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 640
Focal Length: 700/1 mm
Date Taken: 2012-08-16 18:19
Metering Mode: Spot
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
File Size: 261 kb

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flashpoint, maaciejka, marius-secan, vanda has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

compliments Jose,for the remarkable primacy of species photographed, as this bird of prey in flight taken with great detail
take care sERGIO

Ciao Jose. Magnifica luce colori stupendi. Dettagliio perfetto per l'imponente creatura in volo. Gran stacco contro lo sfodo.

Roberto

barthatibor
Hello Jose,
Beautiful photo with good compozition and nice colours.The sharpness is impressive!
Regards,Tibi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-08-17 8:13]

Hello Jose,
Excellent photo of this Snake Eagle in flight. Good sharpness and beautiful light and colours. Fine composition.
Regards,
Peter

hello Jose
a beauty of a picture
good details and lovely naturel colours
thanks greeting lou

Jose, this is an excellent capture of this eagle. It has great sharpness and blurred background. Great work. Bill

Hi Jose,
great photo of this bird in flight. Excellent sharpness, perfect composition.
Have a nice weekend,
Maciek

Hello Jose
Impressive bird and nice photo with very good composition and wonderful colours.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Impresionante y de gran belleza Jose. Oportunidad en la captura.

Abrazo.

Hello Jose,

An excellent in-flight capture with fine coloration, details & POV. Well composed & presented. TFS & best wishes!

Umar

Hello Jose,
A fascinating photo with razor sharp details, very nice natural colors and perfect exposure. Nice composition taken from a excellent POV with lovely light and best clarity.
Difficult to catch in flight this superb bird!
Have a nice weekend!
Marius.

Wonderfull flight shot...!!!
well done
best regards
Pierre

hello Jose,
another great picture from you with great sharpness of this flying Short-toed Snake Eagle.
very well composed picture,
best wishes,
samiran

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2012-08-20 10:22]

Hello Jose.
What a superb capture of this Eagle. Gorgeous in-flight shot with the wings in such a beautiful position. The face and eye are magnificent. Excellent colors, details, and composition.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2012-08-20 15:22]

Hi Jose,a spectacular in flight capture,the light help you to have this magnificent result,great details,colors and a magnificent specie too!Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • vanda Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 338 W: 25 N: 754] (3673)
  • [2012-08-21 5:23]

Olà Jose!
First of all congratulations on your great goal: 91 species !!
About this shot I must say that it is spectacular.
Details are taken very well and the sahdows on the bird are lovely.
The blue sky as BG is perfect to stand out the subject.
Very well done my friend: congratulations.
ciao! Vanda

Ciao Jose Diogo, great capture of fantastic in-flight rapax, fine details, wonderful colors and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2012-08-21 23:22]

Hi Jose,
Perfect capture of flying bird, very good moment.
Regards Jiri.

Buona sera Jose,

complimenti for this wonderful capture, excellent subject too !

un saluto, tino

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