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Go ahead, make my day!


Go ahead, make my day!
Photo Information
Copyright: Alli Hemingway (annagrace) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 18 N: 851] (2996)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Olympus C4000Z
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Movie Oneliners, Falcons - I chapter [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-07-12 13:24
Viewed: 3973
Points: 13
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lanner falcon

Species: Falco biarmicus

Falco biarmicus is found as far north as the central/eastern Mediterranean region, extending south throughout most of Africa. Primarily a sedentary species, F. biarmicus does not migrate, though extensive wandering is frequently observed in Africa, especially in juveniles and non-breeding adults. In fact, ringed individuals have been recovered as far as 1528 km from their breeding territory. Lanner falcons are also known to move according to weather patterns, they move into desert areas after rain and out of forested areas during mist/heavy rain.

Physical Description - Mass 500 to 900 g
(17.6 to 31.68 oz, length 35 to 50 cm
(13.78 to 19.69 in, wingspan 90 to 110 cm
(35.43 to 43.31 in)

The breeding season for Falcon biarmicus varies significantly throughout its range. In southern Europe and northern Africa, the laying period is February through May. In the Sahara, western and northeastern Africa, the laying period is from January through March. In east, central and south Africa, the laying period is from June through November. Nesting habitat also varies; typical sites include abandoned raptor or heron nests, in trees, cliff faces, on the ground (desert areas) and buildings. A brood typically includes 3 to 4 eggs with an incubation period of around 32 days, fledging occurs in 35 to 47 days.

Behavior
Falco biarmicus is known for its swiftness and agility in flight, as well as its loud, repeated "kak-kak" call. Lanner falcons are solitary birds outside of mating season, though they are frequently observed hunting in pairs when pursuing larger prey. Cooperative hunting is also used to teach their young how to catch prey in flight. They are diurnal and do not migrate, but are known to range hundreds of miles from their breeding territory.

Communication and Perception
Like all raptors, Falco biarmicus relies mostly on its keen sense of sight to hunt prey both in the air and on the ground. It has a variety of calls for different situations and communicates with other individuals acoustically, especially in territorial disputes and courtship rituals. It is known for its loud, repeated "kak-kak" call. (The Central Pets Educational Foundation, 2003)

Food Habits
Lanner falcons are carnivores. They feed on a variety of terrestrial and flying prey. Their main food sources are smaller birds, especially quails and columbids. Falco biarmicus also feeds on lizards, rodents, and bats, as well as spiders and scorpions in desert areas. If competition for these food resources is high, or locusts and other flying insects are swarming, F. biarmicus will also gorge itself on insects.

This falcon was at Zoo Atlanta, and is the mascot for our football team, the Atlanta Falcons. It flies around the Georgia Dome filled with 75,000 screaming fans and doesn't bat an eye.

Photo was cropped and sharpened. This is my first contribution to sAner's theme "Movie Oneliners"!
liquidsunshine, sAner, LordPotty, scottevers7, Comandante, wgreis has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Merlin: Thanks!annagrace 2 09-12 07:45
To Comandante: Hi Cem!annagrace 2 07-14 10:31
To liquidsunshine: They got the dirty bastards!annagrace 2 07-12 20:27
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice shot Alli,
Well composed, good colours and POV. The BG seems a bit noisy and focus a touch soft, have you got a copy of neat image yet?
Nicely captured, I love these birds (in a normal way!!).
Thanks for posting.

A beautiful subject.
Did you shoot this with a zoom, then crop and enlarge?
That would account for the aparrant softness and graininess the others mentioned.
You obviously couldn't sharpen any more.
Excellent composition as a portrait though.

Hi Alli,
A nice portrait on this hawk. I agree with Alan and Pieter that it is off slightly. Maybe your camera would not focus correctly at that close range.Still a nice composition.
Scott

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-07-13 6:22]

Hello Alli,

Like Alan writes the focus is a little soft and the BG a little noisy. Composition and POV are great and you did capture the all important catchlight! Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hello Alli!
Wonderful close up.Expression on face,eyes,framing,POV and DOF are wonderful.Excellent work!Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alli,
excelent close up.
It' really a decisive moment.
Congratulations,
have a great weekend too
Wagner.

Sorry, but it's not Buteo jamaicensis - it's a Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus).

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