Aplomado Falcon

[Fabs Forns]

Anybody that was at Bosque this year is familiar with at least one of this birds. Although he's free now, he was hand-raised, that's why I'm posting him here. 28 of them were bread and released from Ted Turner's ranch to Southern New Mexico, and at least 4 of them had made to the refuge by late November. I saw two of them, judging by the bands. They are stunning and very tame. This one let us approach him while he was perched in a man-made fence, looking us over and letting us make head portraits. He had had a meal not long ago, remains still on his bill.

D200, 200-400/4
f/ 6.7, 1/1000, iso 800
hand-held, no flash

Comments appreciated :)

[Lana Hays]

Fabs
I was tickled to see them and happy with what I shot but......nothing this close. In your face falcon....terrific!!!

[Maxis Gamez]

Gorgeous image Fab. Love the look and clean BG.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

A beauty Fab with a great pose and BG. It is amazing to me how close you were able to get to him. Wonderful capture !!!

[Jim Neiger]

Nice close up of this gorgeous little Falcon, Fabs! I like the bg too. You could have posted this here or in the birds forum. I think it works well in either forum.

[Judd Patterson]

What a beautiful bird! I'm glad that you had the pleasure of photographing this species...a really nice portrait!

[Christina Evans]

Very beautiful bird, lovely portrait Fabs.

[Doug Brown]

Nice capture Fabs. I was there with you that morning when we got close to the Aplomado. It was a memorable experience.

[Del Cockroft]

What a super little chap. Love it.