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Portrait of a Raptor


Portrait of a Raptor
Photo Information
Copyright: Elroyie David (elroyie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 394 W: 104 N: 1519] (6403)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF100-400 IS L, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x Teleconvert
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Prey- RAPTORS (II) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-19 3:17
Viewed: 1065
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Eurasian Buzzard - Buteo buteo

This picture was not taken in captive!!! (like all my pictures)
It is a full frame picture.

This is one of my favorites bird's portrait, it was in very difficult light and it was taken with X1.4 TC, but the result was quite good and suited for large printing.

I hope you will like it.

Descriptive notes.

50-56 cm, 525-1370 g wingspan 115-128 cm.
Extremely variable. Generally dark brown above and on most of underbody and underwing coverts, from below , wingtip and trailing edge of wing dark, flight-feathers barred, pale area in outer primaries.
Extensive geographical variation, partly clinal and confounded by individual variation.
Races separated on size coloration and plumage pattern. Race vulpinus normally smaller, often with rusty underbody underwing coverts and upperside of tail, generally sepatable from B. rufinus on darker head and faintly barred tail, race menestriesi rather similar to vulpinus, but larger.

Habitat.

Variable, but always with some degree of tree cover.
Prefers edges of woods and areas where cultivation, meadows, pastures or moors alternate with coniferous or deciduous woods, or least clumps of trees.
In winter open fields, steppe or wetlands. Mainly flat terrain or gentle slopes at low or moderate altitudes.

Food and Feeding

Adaptable, diet according to local and seasonal availability. Essentially a hunter of small mammals, particularly rodents, with voles main prey over much of range, also mice, rats hamsters shrews, young rabbits and hares.
Sometimes dominant prey by number are invertebrates, crickets, locusts and earthworms. Reptiles locally important, including lizards, slow-worms and snakes. Birds can be important when mammals scarce.
Hunts in clearings and open areas near edges or woods, almost always captures prey on ground. Spends long periods perched scanning or loafing, also spots prey from gliding or soaring flight. Walks on ground when hunting invertebrates.

Breeding.

mar-May. Nests in large trees, fairly close to edge of wood.
Nest is bulky platform of sticks and twigs, lined with greenery.Built in fork or on branch near trunk. 2-4 eggs, incubation 35-38 days by female, but most prey caught by male.
Chicks have white or brownish grey first and second down. Sexual maturity 3 years old.
SelenE, jrubiocasado, Juyona, Proframe has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2399 W: 63 N: 4206] (13770)
  • [2007-06-19 3:37]

Looks amazing Elroyie... Very well done and TFS
Selen

Hi Elroyie,
How do you do that ?!
Excellent portrait! Awesome details. Accurate exposure and excellent composition.
It's really impressive how you manage to get so near these creatures.

Regards,
Shahar.

Hi Elroyie
Very nice portrait of this buzzard.
Cheers
Jorge

hello
good details, good croping, nice colours and fine light, well done
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2252 W: 10 N: 2594] (15451)
  • [2007-06-19 4:50]

Hola Elroyie,
bello retrato,
magnífico trabajo como siempre,
saludos

Hi Elroyie,
Wonderful image.
Could this be a young one 'cause it didn't fly away. How far were you from your subject?
Well done!
Congrats...
TFS
Annick

Hello Elroyle
Very beautiful portrait of a buzzard you're showing us here.
The pose of the bird, details in the feathers and perfectly matching color tones in the BG are all most wonderful.
Excellent work.
Thanks for sharing.
Warm regards, Harry

hi david
a perfect close up of this amazing specimen

aleks ;-)
best regards

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