Superb image Grace, the details on the plumage are fantastic and love the composition, simple but powerfull. By the way, I am sure that this is not a pregrine, not sure what species is but the feather pattern on the head is not of a pregrine. Maybe it is a gyrfalcon or one of those hybrids that are widely breed for falconry.
Very good shot! I agree with Doug, I think this is a Praire Falcon. I think a peregrine would be spotted on breast rather than streaked, as in this bird. Also, the face pattern fits Praire Falcon. IMO:)
Thanks to everyone for your comments. As to the id of this bird, maybe our ornothogist would weigh in? This bird has been the subject of much discussion....we live on Long Island, so doubtful that it's a prairie. I think it's a young, blond male pere, someone suggested arctic race? He is extremely tolerant of people, but not banded, and an accomplished hunter. The only problem with him is that he harrasses the snowy owls. I think you'll be seeing more images from him as he's been well photographed by many of us here on LI.
A superb image Grace, for all the reasons noted above. I don't have anything more to add other than to comment on the ID. After checking out Sibley, this is a peregrine. Why? Prairie falcons have a white area behind the eye and a relatively pale back. This bird has neither of these features. Also, juvenile peregrines have a pale crown (which this bird has) versus the brownish crown of the prairie falcon. Hope this helps. :)
A lovely Peregrine captured to perfection & I also like the nordic blonde analogy. :)
I'd go with the race tundrius (Alaska, Canada & W Greenland) rather than one of the other arctic SSP/forms from further east. This bird is actually very similar to 2 images of a juvie male tundrius in 'Raptors of Europe & The Middle East - Dick Forsman'.
Congrats Grace, this is one of the finest juvi peregrine shots I've seen! My guess is that it's a pale type tundrius bird but hard to say because when the reintroduction of this species in North America began, birds were used that had roots from around the globe which is why their plumage varies so much.
Wow! This is gorgeous. Love the pose, the light, and the bird's attitude. Even the perch is great. I do, however, have a suggestion for improvement, or at least a question: if you have gotten maybe a foot lower could you have placed the bird against and all-buff background? As is, the white sand wedge is very bright and somewhat distracting. Still, this is light years better than anything I have on this species.
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Artie, I do have some with an all buff bg. There was some tall goldenrod in betweeen the bird and me and that was the lowest I could go to avoid getting it in the foreground. (And the best angle) It was a super windy day, and as the session progressed and the bird did not appear eager to fly, I lowered my tripod and tried to shoot when the wind blew the goldenrod out of the way. Ended up with about 6 keepers from that idea. As for the wind, I could not even hold my lens still, so I trained it on the bird, tightened it down, used my best long lens technique,and relied on IS. Most of my shots are sharp from this, even tho it's not usually recommeneded.
Thanks for your response. You did great. If I can beat this cold, I will try to get out there when I visit my Mom.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Peregrine in the dunes
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