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Prairie Falcon


Prairie Falcon
Photo Information
Copyright: Jen Smith (JennHen) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 19 W: 0 N: 111] (429)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-05-08 22:39
Viewed: 1806
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I photographed this small male Prairie Falcon at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center today. He was a little ham! He is one of their educational program birds, as he has a permanently injured wing and can not be released back into the wild. He had just enjoyed his mouse meal, a spray bath, and some rolling in the dirt... then resumed his poses for me. He sat patiently on his handler's gloved hand for several hours as part of their annual open house. He is about 6 years old, and has been in their program for 5 years.

Physical Characteristics
The Prairie falcon is similar in size to the Peregrine Falcon. The Prairie Falcon’ s plumage is pail brown rather than gray. The beak is bluish with a dark tip. Part of the cheeks and the throat is very pale and a conspicuous, narrow brown-black “mustache” mark extends from below forward edge of the eye down the side of the chin.Under parts are whitish or somewhat puffy.

Habitat Description
The Prairie Falcon is found in dry and semi-dry plains. This is a falcon of open country which nests on rock cliffs, in river gorges, and occasionally in timbered mountains. This Falcon prefers open areas away from water, while the Peregrine prefers open areas near water. Nests are often scraped on ledges, although old stick nests of ravines and other raptors will be used. The Prairie Falcon is found in Western North America, Banjo, and Northern Mexico. The Prairie Falcon does not breed in Minnesota but can be seen in Minnesota during the spring and fall migration.

Diet
Prairie Falcon’s feed on a variety of prey, including ground squirrels and prairie dogs, lizards, and birds, especially those that are ground dwelling. Immature birds eat large quantities of insects.
Janice, coasties, Robbrown, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
  • [2005-05-08 23:16]

Oh Jenn, he's beautiful isn't he? And he's looking at you so intently too. Excellent details and colours. Well shown, thank you.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3059 W: 231 N: 6135] (20978)
  • [2005-05-09 0:23]

What a beautiful shot, Jennifer. Exposure is right on, though focus might be a bit soft. But Great POV and close-up. Very expressive face. TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • twin Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 17 N: 494] (3255)
  • [2005-05-09 1:24]

it is a great pic jennifer..
beautiful POV.. nice colors, and details.. I like it..

  • Great 
  • Sneza Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 94 W: 30 N: 16] (672)
  • [2005-05-09 2:00]

Beautiful shot.
What a pose and look.
Good sharpness and details.
Composition and DOF are good too.
Well done.

Wow I think its to close for comfort :) good colours and excellent sharpness

The perfect pose from this beautiful bird. Great eye contact. Details are great and the out od focus background is awesome. Nice work.

Very nice composition, even if focus a little soft.
Well done.
TFS.

Nice portrate shot Jennifer, you have got it so we can not tell its not a wild capture and with the great notes make this a perfect TN post. TFS

A bit soft maybe but what great colours and composition! What beautiful eyes he has (unless you are a ground squirrel, lizard...) and that beak looks deadly - I think he should have a licence for it ;) Great DOF and exposure Jennifer. All taken together, it is very evocative of predator so it is a great shot :)

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