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Peregrine Falcon - Father and Daughter


Peregrine Falcon - Father and Daughter
Photo Information
Copyright: Nigel Deacon (Merlin) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 267 N: 455] (1713)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-06-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4 ED+Nikon TC14EII
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2012-03-06 10:14
Viewed: 2975
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A high-speed game of "tag" in the burning blue...

A beautiful sunny June afternoon on a grassy coastal clifftop. The local peregrine pair had four fledged young on the wing, and they were spending long periods playing aerial games together and terrorizing the local gulls and corvids. I was tracking the adult male, or tiercel, as he swept overhead and was lucky enough to be still tracking when one of the young females (the larger, browner bird on the left) pulled up alongside him, giving her food-begging screaming call. I would guess that they were travelling at over 100kph at the time - and I only got one frame with both birds in-frame and in focus.

This photograph shows the differences between adult and immature plumage and the size difference between the male and female - the male averages around 2/3 of the female's weight.

In case there are any cynics out there, these birds are positioned in the frame exactly "as shot" - no software trickery.
marius-secan, Hussain58, joska, Argus, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Pitoncle: Peregrines - "Blur.."Merlin 1 03-09 08:35
To Hussain58: Thanks!Merlin 1 03-06 10:43
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-03-06 10:29]

Hello Nigel,
Fantastic photo taken in a perfect exposure. And what a timing. I know how fast these birds are. You are a master! Impressive sharpness and details. Excellent composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Nigel,
Spectacular composition with excellent colors.
It is a interesting image. The two birds flying very close are great.
The details and clarity are the best.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

Hello Nigel,

Hope you are doing fine. What a splendid shot, friend! Yes, females are larger than males in the falcon families, in fact, most of the birds of prey have larger females and they are all accomplished hunters/predators. The juvenile female looks larger than her father. Yes, the difference in plumage is finely visible.Your photo brings to mind J A Baker's masterpiece "The Peregrine" which has been popularized recently by naturalists like Robert Macfarlane etc.....it is a must read thing, Nigel. I have remained a member of RSPB for some years friend. I know the peregrine population of England. Your note here is excellent.Thanks a lot for sharing this marvellous photo.....take care....warmest regards/Abid

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
  • [2012-03-06 10:57]

amazing capture!

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2012-03-06 11:06]

Hi Nigel,a very lucky meeting and a fantastic in-flight capture whit super sharpness and details,the wings position too is perfect to create this magic spectacle.Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Ciao Nigel. Impressive DOF and focus. Stunning details/sharp against the BG.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 799 W: 152 N: 1186] (7474)
  • [2012-03-06 12:44]

Hi Nigel
stunning
great achievement to have both in the dof
Love it
tfs
Tom

nice family! TFS Ori

  •      
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1053 W: 5 N: 3475] (15161)
  • [2012-03-06 14:16]

Merhaba Nigel,
Harika yakalanmış çok güzel bir belge, tebrik ederim..selamlar.

Splendid photo of these falcons, great sharpness, colors and details, TFS!

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2012-03-07 3:19]

Hello Nigel,
A superb in-flight of father and daughter Peregrines. The sharpness, natural colours and WB against a clear sky are superb. I like the composition and the eye contact from the father can be appreciated.
How marvellous to take such a shot and thanks for sharing it!
Regards,
Ivan

Bonjour Nigel,
Très belle attitude du sujet saisie à l'instant décisif avec une formidable opposition sur l'arrière plan mais il me semble que la profondeur de champ n'est pas suffisante et fait apparaître un très léger flou à moins que cela provienne de l'utilisation du téléobjectif sans trépied.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

fantastic capture, wonderful picture, excellent focus for both subjects, congratulations !

ciao, tino

Hi Nigel
Fantastic photo very hard to capture shots like this, on a personal note did we spend a lot of time wandering around the valleys many moons ago?
Rory

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