Wildlife, landscape and weather photography
One from yesterday on what was a bone-chilling cold morning on the plains. The temperature didn’t bother this raptor though as it circled a field, looking for a meal.
Usually these guys are pretty skittish but this one was kind enough to give me a few nice flybys. As it circled, I was really hoping it would find something to eat but it was not to be, at least not while I watched. Given the cold, I wasn’t going to linger around either. 😉
These guys are fast-movers and not ones to normally let you get a flight shot. Thankfully, this one cooperated a bit recently giving me a few shots as it flew by at Mach 1. 😉
Prairie falcons are quite common on the plains this time of year. I usually see them perched on utility poles, ready to attack some poor, unsuspecting rodent or little bird.
I’ve watched them dive into groups of horned larks and meadowlarks with amazing speed and agility, snatching their victim right out of the air. Way cool to see!
Oh how I love these types of birds. I previously shared my top shots of bald eagles and owls, now we look at some images of other types of eagles, hawks and falcons. Raptors are extraordinary creatures, ferocious predators but also quite beautiful and widely varied. From the tiny American kestrel to the monstrous golden eagle, all hold a special fascination for me and are quite often the focus of my images. Here’s a look back at my favorite captures of these creatures of the sky from my 2020 photo year.
I am finally starting to see some of these cool raptors this season. This one was taking a break from hunting this past weekend and let me grab a few shots before it went back to work.
Prairie falcons are found across much of the western United States. Here in Colorado, they come to the lower elevations during the winter. During the summer, I have spotted them as high as at 10,000 feet in the mountains.
They are way cool birds and like most falcons, extraordinarily aggressive and are often seen flying low and fast over open land, hunting for a meal.
The first of these cool raptors that I have seen this season and it did a nice job putting on a show for me.
I initially spotted it on a pole and it was kind enough to just sit while I grabbed some shots. It was not interested in me one bit, keeping its gaze focused on a spot in an adjacent field.
All of sudden it took to the air, shown here, and dived for a spot a good ways out in the field. It was too far of a shot for me to capture but it emerged with some sort of little rodent in its talons. These guys are absolutely ferocious hunters, something I got to witness again yesterday.
This little raptor seemed to be a bit less than thrilled with the weather conditions on this day in October.
It was miserably cold, wind was blowing and the prairie falcon had ice on its shoulders and head. I know I was not enjoying it and while this guy may be built to withstand the conditions, I can’t image it was happy about it either. 😉
This was the first prairie falcon of the season I had spotted. Since then I have seen a couple more and should get many more opportunities as we get further into winter.
After a busy weekend and a crazy Tuesday, I am a bit late posting an image for the day so I was randomly clicking through images and came across this one I hadn’t shared.
Taken back on St Patrick’s Day, this cool – but ferocious – little raptor was staking out a field near Brighton Colorado.
As is typical for prairie falcons, it wasn’t too inclined to pose but did give me a few nice shots before heading off to hunt without the prying eyes of a photographer nearby.
It’s been a while since I had gotten decent pics of these awesome, little raptors. In recent weeks I had seen quite a few but was not having much luck getting pics. Then, last week, I happened across this gorgeous specimen as it hung out on a pole keeping watch on a nearby field.
It was quite willing to pose for pictures for me and in fact, was too patient. I sat and waited and waited and waited for it to take flight but it never did, choosing to sit and watch me. With winter here, I am hopeful I will get some changes at flight shots soon.
There’s a few P’s for you with an F thrown in for good measure. 😉
This winter I haven’t had as much like photographing these fantastic raptors as in year’s past. On Wednesday though, I happened across one that was kind enough to perch itself right next to the road. It was largely unbothered by my presence and sat still long enough for me to grab these captures.
These cool raptors can be found flying low to the ground searching for prey. They are extraordinarily maneuverable and very difficult to catch pics of in-flight although I have on occasion had some good luck. Prairie Falcons are not particular about their diet and will feed on smaller birds including larks, swallows and doves and will also feed on rodents including squirrels.
I couldn’t help but feel for this little one as it sat perched with snow and frost on its face and wings as it looked for a meal out the plains of Colorado this morning.
Not a particularly productive photo day for me as the weather seemed to have many of the critters hunkering down. I can’t say I blame them as the temperature was only in the teens when I was out there.
I reckon I will console my poor outing with a nice, not toddy. 😉 Stay warm out there!
