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Flight Training


Flight Training
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-11-11 14:39
Viewed: 3864
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All,
Digging into the old stuff again, as I went out and had bad luck all around . Overcast skies rolled in making in quite dark, plus I forgot it was Tuesday and all the hunters were out in full force. Then Jasmine, my Border Collie who is thirteen and hard of hearing broke after a deer in the forest and I had a devil of a time finding her, lucky there was a bit of snow on the ground. On the lead she goes from now on, she has always been so obedient but she has to hear to listen. She is not going to be happy.
This young Ferruginous Hawk was testing out his wings and found out he wasn't quite ready. I found him on the ground under his nest. A first I was worried about him but when I got close to take this picture I found he had some defences. First he stands tall and clicks his beak, then as I was looking at him Mom paid a visit in the form of a dive from 30 meters in the sky. I didn't see her but the air rushing through her folded wings and the breeze on my bald head said look up which I did, I grabbed a couple of shots and left with mom dive bombing me all the way to the truck.
Rick





Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalis
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General Description

By Lee Sollenberger

Ferruginous Hawks, the largest of Alberta's buteos, now comparatively rare, is listed as an endangered species in Alberta, primarily because of habitat loss. It occurs only in the southeastern part of the province, in the grassland region.

This pale-coloured hawk is strictly a bird of the open grasslands, almost never found near urban environments. The closest it comes to humans is when it nest in the only available trees of a farm shelterbelt. It winters from southern USA to central Mexico, returning to Alberta by late March, and usually departing again before September ends.
Ferruginous Hawks prey mainly on ground squirrels, jackrabbits and woodrats. It is a powerful bird with a large gape (mouth). This hawk will make long flights in pursuit of its prey, and is often observed on the ground awaiting the re-appearance of a ground squirrel from its den. They are also capable of catching birds, other mammals and snakes, all part of their diet.
The nest site most often is in the crotch of a small to medium-sized tree, often the only one for kms around, usually 3-10 m (10-33 ft.) above the ground. They will also use a rock outcropping, a steep slope, a man-made nest platform or nest on the ground when no other site is available. If successful, the same nest will be used year after year, becoming massive with the annual addition of sticks, old bones and other material and lined with vegetation, bark and livestock dung. They are aggressive, attacking anything that nears the nest site. The three to five bluish white eggs are laid, usually in April. Incubation is for about 28 days, with the young fledging at about two months of age.
hansh, flashpoint, jaycee, CeltickRanger, NinaM, mirceax, ramthakur, bobair, eqshannon, Alex99, ubc64, samandi, Jamesp, maurydv, oanaotilia, wuta, Mick_M, mala-zaba has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: ThanksAdanac 1 11-11 20:14
To Dave: LOLAdanac 1 11-11 16:29
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 1 N: 741] (2762)
  • [2008-11-11 14:42]

the bird is posing very well to you and when you see the expression of his face i can imaging that you are worried to get closer of him.
Very well done.
Gr. Hans

hi Rick,
she's really lucky.....excellent capture of this beautiful young Ferruginous Hawk,impressive details of plumage and great pose of defence

greetings sERGIO

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 503 W: 43 N: 657] (2178)
  • [2008-11-11 15:06]
  • [+]

That must have been fun with mom dive bombing your...(smile). This is a good looking young bird. He looks ready to take on the world. Great shot!

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-11-11 15:31]

Hi Rick,

I wouldn't worry too much about this youngster. He looks like he can take care of himself. A fantastic capture of this beautiful Hawk in an "I can conquer the world" pose. Face and plummage are just beautiful with excellent details. Glad his mom didn't get you. I would agree that a leash is in order for Jasmine!

Jane

hello Rick

superb shot of this young Ferruginous Hawk with fine low POV
and apropriate (to his pose) vertical framing, the focus is superb,
beautiful luminosity, excellent sharpness and details,
i love the expression on his glance, TFS

Asbed

Hi Rick,
Great capture of this beautiful bird. Suprb details and pose.
tfs

Mircea

I can't believe you keep pulling these beauties out of storage. It is a well saturated, sharp image. The grasses make such a nice backdrop. Wonderful shot.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer [C: 773 W: 3 N: 1157] (4077)
  • [2008-11-11 16:01]

You always have fun and interesting stories behind your shots and this one is great. The bird is so beautiful and I can imagine the mother diving onto you, incredible, Rick. And your dog is getting older, poor dog having to be in leash. I also leash my dog because it is too young and doesn't come when I call, well, not all the time. But in the forest, I leave him free most of the time, scared a little it starts runing at other animals too. Well, be careful with Jasmine, I am sure she is a great dog. In fact, i wanted a border collie, I think they are super dogs, but I finally came back home with a maltese ;-) a super dog also! Thanks for the beautiful picture, once more a great one,

Francine

Ha,ha,ha!!! Very funny note, Rick. You have a super sense of humor.
Your portrait of the young Hawk is adorable. The image is so lively I can feel the eagerness of it to start flying. It is there in those eyes.
Thanks for sharing this picture, my friend, and best regards.
Ram

Hi Rick,
great story accompanying your photo for today.I sure know what it is like to have an enraged hawk dive bombing me and I always beat it down the road when that happens.I like the pose this youngster has and those leggings are a wonder as are all the spots the bird has on it.This is a kingly species and as far as I call recall the largest hawk here in Alberta and one of the rarest as well.A natural colour and clear focus brings this bird to life.I certainly would love to see one of them even if I get no photos,as long as it is wild and free.Thanks for this view of a rare bird that was taken in a clear light,outstanding! Bob

It is what us'n Pacific NW Hillbillies call "Crappie Weather"!:-) ...and we are having it along with you, yet I actually went out for an hour and shot stills and video...I am as crazy as they come Rick...Keep in touch..send me your land line..I lost or never had it.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-11-11 20:32]

Hi Rick.
Splendid specimen of the hawk and so splendid shot. It is clear image of bird is superb however, the reproduction of the surroundings is so outstanding. All is the best at your terrific shot. Bravo.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • ubc64 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 21 N: 208] (789)
  • [2008-11-11 20:55]

Hi Rick,

Very detailed and colorful shot of that young hawk. They sure look like muscular birds. Though his mom was running interference, you still managed to get a good shot. Did you get one of his mom coming at you though -- quickly shifting to ISO 3200 and 1/2000 sec. as you zig-zagged your way to your truck? :)

John

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-11-11 20:58]

Hi Rick,
Wonderful shot of this Raptor in an elegant posture among the tall grasses. Stands out well from the green surrounding and I like the awesome details on its plumage. Very impressive sharpness and perfect DOF. A priceless image indeed.
TFS.
Sumon

Salam Rick
Wow very nice Bird and good focuse . 10/10

TFS
-- SADEGH --

Hello Rick

A super POV for this one.
These guys are quite difficult I am lead to believe ,to see.Not for you though.
Excellent sharpness and focus.
The setting is very good,I really like the softness of the foxtail grasses and the way they bend in a gentle breeze.it really makes a pleasing scene.
Nicely done.
TFS

Wolf

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-11-11 22:30]

Hi Rick

Amazing pose and capture - I wondered how you got so close until I read you note - great work.

JAmes

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 838 W: 60 N: 2307] (9477)
  • [2008-11-11 23:04]

Hello Rick,

Such a majesty in this picture. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. Great exposure and colours. Splendid background with the tall grass in the wind too.
Cheers,
Mariki

great capture, TFS Ori

Ciao Rick,
spettacolare cattura, eccellenti POV e DOF, bellissima la composizione per la splendida postura e lo sguardo fiero del rapace, straordinari i dettagli, bellissimi i colori e l'ambientazione con gli steli d'erba che ondeggiano sul BG.
TFS.
Maurizio

Great shot with excellent clarity and details.

Congrats, Rick.
A superb image.
This is an archive photo?:-)
Fantastic photo of a fantastic young Ferrigenous hawk.
And a fantastic story involved:-)
Technically very well done and it's definitely a beauty.
TFS
Annick

Hi Rick,
This is an amazing capture of a wonderful young Hawk. The image is crystal clear with perfect natural colors, exposure and nice action captured with its beak opened. You really have a great collection of wild impressive and most beautiful animals!
Claudine

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-11-12 8:26]

Hello Rick,
If I could make once in my life such a photo I should be happy for a very long time. This is amazing. The low POV makes it all perfect. The natural grasses in the BG makes it all more beautiful. And that in a great technical quality and expression.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2008-11-12 10:35]

Hello Rick , Fantastic picture ,great compositie super sharp details colours and bg , I like it , tfs ,Greetings Teunie

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2008-11-12 18:52]

Hi Rick,
What a beauty this one is!
I love hawks, and this one is really gorgeous, with all those spots and those feathery legs.
An fantastic pose and facial expression.
Sharp details and lovely BG.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2008-11-13 10:18]

Hi Rick
Gorgeous light and colours and sharpness details.
Excellent action pose.
Regards Jiri.

Hi rick,
Great capture composition and details again !
Great note and story of the picture.
The little hawk is very beautiful.
Regards
Mick

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-11-18 8:05]

Hello Rick! Incredible shot my friend, I just love it! Great details and a perfect pose, wow!

Mario

Hy Rick
Birds of prey are between my favourites birds. I was never close to some of them, I saw them only flying, never on the nest or, in any other occasion.
I like this picture because I can see very clearly how this birds looks like, and on this guy, the pectoral muscles (I forget the name of the birds muscles) are evident, common for a long-time flying bird.
TFS
Oana

Hi Rick,


I past quickly on your profile to see your new photos and it hit me. Why have waited more than two years to share? It is splendid. The bird is sharp and framing is very good.
Congratulations. Have a nice new year, I should be a little more present in january...

Eric

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