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.
Labels: identification, Owls, raptors
4 Comments:
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.
Nice shots Jerry, love the background on that harrier pic!
Thanks Vic....its tough to get a harrier with a smooth background
Cool photos. They really show the difference in wing shapes and head profiles. The light wing panels really stand out on that ferrug too.
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