Crested Caracaras

Maestro

This past June while down in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, I had the chance to find and photograph some crested caracaras. I usually either find them walking far off in a field or like this hidden in branches.





But sometimes they oblige me with a clean perch, but only rarely, and I am not even sure you can count an old fence post as a perch. Is it natural? Close enough.





My personal favorite (I like the leg positioning and strong eye contact)



Then I found this guy in a field on a post.



Try to get closer and this is what happens. You know how it ended.

dlplumer

Great set Stephen. I've never seen this bird.

Giphsub

That second last shot is awesome Stephen! Even with the post!

bhowdy

Very nice set Stephen. I like the "bird on a post" image too. I think it qualifies as natural, after all it is not in a backyard.
Thanks for sharing.

Ric Grupe

I don't like jumping on the band wagon but the post shot is very nice, Stephen.

That light in the eye make all the difference.

nrmdisk

Very nice shots!
Very nice...we dont; have any Caracaras here, so I really enjoyed this set...very majestic looking bird.

N

Maestro

dlplumer wrote:

Great set Stephen. I've never seen this bird.

Thanks Dan. They are basically a Texas falcon with a small population in Florida. Harry has some at Viera. They are very common south of the border.

Maestro

Giphsub wrote:

That second last shot is awesome Stephen! Even with the post!

I was afraid you would say that. Seriously though thank you for the comment.

Maestro

bhowdy wrote:

Very nice set Stephen. I like the "bird on a post" image too. I think it qualifies as natural, after all it is not in a backyard.
Thanks for sharing.

That's funny Bob. Thanks for the comments.

Maestro

Ric Grupe wrote:

I don't like jumping on the band wagon but the post shot is very nice, Stephen.

That light in the eye make all the difference.

Thanks Ric. I guess I will just continue to go against the grain and prefer my fav.

bfjr

Cool looking bird, don't have any here so I enjoyed these

[Deleted User]

We DO have them here and they are still cool looking shots.

And another vote for the post shot.

Jim

KCBearcat

Another bandwagon jumper here for that post shot... I don't think I'd seen that particular species of bird before, but you've rendered him beautifully. Nice work.

dbaker1221

first post shot!!!!!:ivar ................ or have you heard that all ready

Maestro

nrmdisk wrote:

Very nice...we dont; have any Caracaras here, so I really enjoyed this set...very majestic looking bird.

N

Thanks Neil. One of the few to make to the southern US from Mexico/Central American/South America.

Maestro

bfjr wrote:

Cool looking bird, don't have any here so I enjoyed these

Thanks Ben. I appreciate it. I remember last year, I think it was, that a crested caracara made to either Arizona or SoCal. I can't remember precisely but the birders over there were excited.

Maestro

Jim K wrote:

We DO have them here and they are still cool looking shots.

And another vote for the post shot.

Jim

Yep, you sure do. It seems Texas and Florida are the favorite spots for these falcons. Woohoo!

Maestro

KCBearcat wrote:

Another bandwagon jumper here for that post shot... I don't think I'd seen that particular species of bird before, but you've rendered him beautifully. Nice work.

Okay, Okay, so nobody likes my favorite. I might just have to jump on the post bandwagon too.