Raptors - Caracara Portrait

[Doug West]

This was captured down at the Weaver Ranch in Texas.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 20D
Shutter speed: 1/800 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
ISO: 400
Focal length: 600mm

108328

Doug

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details and color.

[James Fuller]

Good Exposure, sharpness, and nice pose...I would prefer the head to be angled towards us a little more. I've never noticed the orange patch on a Caracara's chest before.

[Doug West]

I every time I see that orange patch, I want to press it :)

Doug

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice portrait! great eye contact and nice details... the yellow patch looks like an egg yolk :D

[James Fuller]

Does anyone know what the orange patch is for?

[Robert Rommel]

Great details and color! As mentioned, I would also prefer a slight head tilt to the bird's left and down. I've not seen this patch before on Caracara's or other photos of them. Was the photo taken during breeding?

[Doug West]

It was photographed in May if that helps.

[Sid Garige]

Does anyone know what the orange patch is for?

James,
From some posts I ran on BPN in the past it is an enlarged crop after feeding. May be John can throw some light on this.

[Satish Ranadive]

Extremely beautiful portrait ...loved the details on Caracara..

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Doug, super comp and pose, and I like the overall detail. Well exposed, and interesting 'yolk' feature on the upper chest.

[Doug West]

The yellow/orange may be under feathers? I have others from that day and some
have that patch and others don't.

Now all I can do is look at that patch...thanks guys!!! :)

Doug

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Nice caracara and good details. I like the clean BG and pose.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Doug! I like the details, pose and composition.