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Snake-Eagle:)


Snake-Eagle:)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5091 W: 178 N: 12433] (33947)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D-5000, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM, @ ISO 400
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1600 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds from the Middle East and Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-18 1:43
Viewed: 432
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 68
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Circaetus gallicus (Short-toed Eagle, Short-toed Snake-Eagle) [in Turk. Yılan Kartalı]

I encountered with this snake murderer:) over the sunflower fields when I visited the Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Peninsula near the Marmara Sea.

TFL and Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

*****************************

The short-toed snake-eagle is a large, long-winged eagle with a broad head, a relatively small beak, and long, bare legs. The plumage is quite variable, but is usually brown above, with a brown head, throat and chest, and a white lower breast and belly, marked with dark bars or blotches. The flight feathers of the wing are usually dark, and the tail bears three to four dark bands. The eye is bright yellow. The male and female short-toed snake-eagle are similar in appearance, although the female is heavier and has a slightly longer tail. Juveniles resemble the adult . The short-toed snake-eagle is rather noisy during the breeding season, using a range of calls including a harsh, plaintive jee, a melancholy peek-o and a rather weak ok-ok-ok . The species can be distinguished from the related Beaudouin's snake-eagle (Circaetus beaudouini) and black-chested snake-eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) mainly by its paler colouration.

The short-toed snake-eagle has a wide distribution, occurring from southwest Europe and northwest Africa, north to the Gulf of Finland, and east to Central Asia. Populations also occur in the Indian subcontinent and the Lesser Sunda Islands, in Southeast Asia. Western populations of the short-toed snake-eagle are migratory, wintering in the Sahel zone of sub-Saharan Africa, whilst elsewhere the species is resident year-round. It uses a range of habitats, from fairly dense forest, to open woodland, to arid grassland and semi-desert . It generally prefers mixed habitat that combines open areas, rich in reptile prey, with tree cover for nesting.
As its name suggests, the short-toed snake-eagle specialises in feeding on snakes, which can measure up to 150 centimetres or more in length and are usually eaten whole, head first. Although some venomous species are taken, most are non-venomous. Other reptiles may also be taken, particularly lizards, as well as occasional amphibians, small mammals, and, rarely, birds or invertebrates. Most hunting takes place in open areas, the eagle soaring or circling, sometimes at great heights, and often hovering as it searches for prey.

The short-toed snake-eagle breeds from April to October in western parts of its range, and from December to May in the Indian subcontinent. The nest, which is relatively small for such a large bird, is built in a tree, and is constructed from sticks and twigs and lined with green leaves or grass. A new nest is built each year, although the breeding pair may also take over the old nest of another bird species, or, more rarely, nest on a cliff ledge. A single egg is laid, hatching after an incubation period of 45 to 47 days. Fledging takes place after 60 to 80 days, although the chick may move from the nest into the surrounding branches 10 to 15 days before this. The young short-toed snake-eagle becomes independent soon after fledging, and may live up to 17 years .

Reference:

1. Perrins, C. & Attenborough, D. (1987). Collins New Generation Guide to the BIRDS of Britain and Europe. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., Glasgow, 320 pp.
2. Wikipedia.
3. ARKive.
4. TRAKUS.
KOMSIS, parasbhalla, SMYRNA, cypturk, xTauruSx, caspian, cirano, goldyrs, yasemin, nkasot, siggi, Argus, bahadir, Hormon_Manyer, goatman04, montivipera, CeltickRanger, Gert-Paassen, Raptorman, zulfu, Luis52, anemone has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Noisette: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 08-19 14:20
To Raptorman: slmboreocypriensis 1 08-18 10:38
To montivipera: Hahaha:)boreocypriensis 1 08-18 06:22
To Hormon_Manyer: :)boreocypriensis 1 08-18 06:01
To PeterZ: hi MFboreocypriensis 1 08-18 03:44
To Argus: :))))boreocypriensis 1 08-18 03:42
To KOMSIS: selamboreocypriensis 1 08-18 02:37
To yasemin: hahaha:)boreocypriensis 1 08-18 02:34
To cirano: :)boreocypriensis 1 08-18 02:17
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Critiques [Translate]

Bayram bey selamlar,
Güzel bir açıdan, Yılan kartalını kadraja almışsınız...
Renk ve detayları oldukça başarılı.
Açık kanatlar ve mavi gökyüzü güzelliği arttırmış.
emeğinize sağlık,
Seyfi

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 409 W: 0 N: 1022] (5492)
  • [2009-08-18 1:55]

Congratulations, is it not easy to take a good photo of this bird!

Selam Bayram,

Impressive closeup capture of the Snake-Eagle! The colors of the eagle stand very well against the blue sky, bringing a great contrast. the eyes of the eagle are well shown. Among other features, sharpness and POV are well chosen. Great composition overall.

Thanks for posting!

regards,
Paras Bhalla

Kanki valla bu kuşlar herhalde çekmesi en zor olan kuşlar. Yükseklerde uçuyorlar ki, tripodsuz böyle net kare almak büyük iş. Emeğine sağlık.
Gökhan

Dayi super cekmissin. Eline saglik.
Merih

Çerçeveleme de dahil, bakış açınız ve detaylar oldukça iyi olmuş Bayram hocam.
Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Başlıktaki o gülücük yaman bir durum olduğuna göndermedir sanırım:)
Çok uygun bir açıdan ve güzel bir pozda kanat detayları ve renkleri belirgin bir çekim olmuş,güzel ve kaliteli...Eline emeğine sağlık dostum.

Bayram hocam merhaba,

Yılancı kuşumuzun üzerindeki renk ve desen ayrıntıları, güneş ışığının eklenmesi ile birlikte çok güzel bir şekilde görüntülenmiş. Emeğinize sağlık,

Saygı ve selamlarımla.
Mehmet

A lovely shot of this raptor, Big Bro!
I've never seen these whitish coloured eagles.
Very well done!
Goldy

Bayram icin ciz etmistir bu fotoda eminim:).. asklarinin katilini cekmek nasil bir duygu acaba:) ... sajka maka harika cekmissin... eline saglik. .. selamlar hepimizden...
Leyla.

Bayram hocam harika bir çekim olmuş. Başlıktaki gülücüğün sizin açınızdan ne anlama geldiğini anlayabiliyrum:)
Elinize sağlık. Kıbrıs'ta selamlar.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1376 W: 56 N: 4736] (16296)
  • [2009-08-18 2:46]

Hello MF Bayram,
Great photo of this Eagle. The focus on the head and details are very good. Very nice colours and composition.
Best regards Siggi

Classic shot of this eagle Bayram. Amazing work. Nice sharp and clear capture of this bird in flight. Rally amazing. Great work!

TFS,
Kedar

Hello Bayram,
Fantastic photo of this Snake Eagle. The light is very beautiful and so the colours. Sharpness and details are excellent. Great POV, timing and composition.
For 'birds of prey' one day I come to Turkey.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3819 W: 190 N: 11368] (35041)
  • [2009-08-18 3:27]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram dostum,
I liked this very very much when you first showed it to me and I am admiring this fine capture of a Short-toed Eagle now. The POV, lighting and sharpness show the underside features of this flying individual with fine clarity against a blue sky.
I would like to have taken such a shot myself but I can still admire this! Something that you took with mixed feelings as it is a predator of the creatures closest to your heart!
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

Hello Bayram,

A wonderful shot in the air of an audacious hunter in flight. Well captured with good composition.

Thanks for sharing.
Prasad

Hi Bayram,

Spectacular, the perfect bird, portrayed against the perfect sky!... great light balance, excellent adjustment!... details are precise and completely appreciable. Good work Bayram friend. Congratulations again!

Regards

Jesús

Hi,
Beautiful lighting has given great effect on the spread wings of the magnificent bird, what a capture. tfs.
nagraj.v

Süper çekim hocam. Emeğinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Merhaba Bayram Barea,
Although there isn't exif info uploaded now, I must say timing was perfect. :) Wonderful shot, minimalistic composition which is really effective - everything was done in a superb way. Bravo.
Best regards, László (e-mail soon)

Merhaba Hocam,
Although it's the predator of my favourite animal group, I add this shot to my favourites :) Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Nasit

Salam Bayram,

A great shot of this Eagle in-flight with with nice sharpness & details. TFS.

Have a great day & salam!

Umar

hello Bayram

excellent in-flight photo of this bird of prey
the Short-toed Snake-Eagle, fine POV from under
showing its beautiful plumage, fine focus with
excellent sharpness and details, beautiful luminosity,

TFS

Asbed

Good evening little bro Bayram,

anothe very nice inflight shot with great sharpness and details.
Fine bg and colours.

Gert

Murderer = Katil yakıştırmasını bir Kuş için pek tutmasamda fotoğrafın nefis olmuş .
Eline sağlık Bayram .

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 0 N: 162] (868)
  • [2009-08-18 12:03]

Bayram hocam, bakış açısı, renkler ve netlik süper olmuş.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

PLASMASTE BIEN LA CALMA Y LA GRANDIOSIDAD DE ESE AVE BAYRAM. MUY BUENA LUZ, ESPECIAMENTE REFLEJADA EN LAS PLUMAS BASALES. EXCELENTE TRABAJO.
SALUDOS: JOSEP IGNASI.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-08-18 15:50]

Hola Bayram.
Exelente foto. Finos detalles se aprecian en las alas de este Halcon. La nota escrita es muy buena tambien.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2575] (9083)
  • [2009-08-18 21:08]

Merhaba MF Bayram,
superbs composition with the diagonal crossing of the wings to corners. Very sharp and clear shot in detals, especially the stripes. The azure blue sky enhances the beauty into a splendid one.
Well captured shot.

Regards,
Foozi

Hello Bayram,
Great capture with excellent focus
TFS
Albert

Hi Bayram. Spectacular diagonal compo in perfect sharp, focus and excinting light.

Roberto

Merhaba Bayram
wonderful shot of this snake-eagle, great POV, it is impressive to see this majestic bird flying high in this beautiful blue sky,
sharp details on his superb plumage
Have a good night
Jacqueline

Ciao Bayram, great capture of superb eagle in splendid fly, wonderful light, perfect focus and fine details, very well done, ciao Silvio

Yılan kartalını çok güzel çekmişsiniz Bayram hocam.
heybetli görünüyor. Elinize sağlık.
Özgür

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