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Topside views rule!

posted by Jerry Liguori at
on Monday, April 11, 2011 


Hawks are typically viewed from below, soaring or gliding overhead, and are typically depicted in books and magazines this way. Sure, a Red-tailed Hawk is cool from below, but to see one from above with its red tail fanned out...there's just something more exciting about that. Maybe a topside view is more rewarding because you don’t often get above a bird -- you know, they're able to fly and we’re not. Maybe its because this rare viewpoint elicits a similar response as a rare bird does? I also think the most captivating photos are topside portraits. A topside view can present an ID challenge; familiarity with upperside field marks is helpful towards identification. "Click" on photo to enlarge.

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4 Comments:
Blogger Tim Avery said...

This is one of my favorite aspects of hawk watching on some mountain or ridge-line. The views of birds flying below our line of sight giving a completely different perspective that what most of us are used to seeing.

Seeing a hawk or owl, or any species for that matter from an angle or view we aren't accustomed to creates a whole new viewing experience, and as you said, that is exciting.

April 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Vic Berardi said...

Nice shots Jerry, love the background on that harrier pic!

April 13, 2011 at 8:19 PM  
Anonymous Jerry Liguori said...

Thanks Vic....its tough to get a harrier with a smooth background

April 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM  
Anonymous m is for mike said...

Cool photos. They really show the difference in wing shapes and head profiles. The light wing panels really stand out on that ferrug too.

April 21, 2011 at 3:39 PM  

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