The stubbron Caracara

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited August 21, 2005 in Wildlife
Hi you'll,

A few days ago I ran into a Crested Caracara roosting in The Tree in the Viera Wetlands. I set up the tripod and started shooting the sucker. I wanted to get a flight shot so I spent and hour and a half with him. Naturally he never moved. It was getting close to supper (I was cooking that night) and I had to leave. Being desperate I tried to get him into flight. Not wanting to be too intrusive (car horn, throwing a rock, chopping down the tree nono.gif) I started to sing. Now normally my singing will empty out any room in record time but not with this guy. His only response was to relieve himself.

Giving up after 125 pictures of the roosting Caracara I packed up my gear and headed home. At this point he flew off. xxbah.gif . He then had the nerve to land on the road by the exit to the wetlands as I drove home. I was sorely tempted to floor the gas pedal and run him over but I resisted. This time.

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    Nice shots Harry. Why not post the rest of the 125? rolleyes1.gif Are you sure you didn't misssss an angle? ne_nau.gif I know that feeling. I've waisted more time sitting waiting for a darn BIF shot. I'm afraid I'm not as nice as you. I resort to throwing things (food, rocks, fits).eek7.gif I'm not going to sit and wait an hour for a BIF shot. I figure I can whip one up in half that time in photoshop.thumb.gif


    Do you know if these purdy birds are on the west coast of Florida? I've not seen any over here. I'd like to shoot some. (along with about 50 other birds supposedly in the state).

    Nice work.

    Cheers1drink.gif

    BMP
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    Like you always say Harry "Birds are evil creatures" 15524779-Ti.gif

    He's was being just a normal bird then :D at least he posed for you, mine won't even do that :lol4
    Benjamin
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  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    And if you wanted him to stay there
    the darn bird would have flown off! rolleyes1.gif
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    Bird Man Photographer wrote:
    Nice shots Harry. Why not post the rest of the 125? rolleyes1.gif Are you sure you didn't misssss an angle? ne_nau.gif I know that feeling. I've waisted more time sitting waiting for a darn BIF shot. I'm afraid I'm not as nice as you. I resort to throwing things (food, rocks, fits).eek7.gif I'm not going to sit and wait an hour for a BIF shot. I figure I can whip one up in half that time in photoshop.thumb.gif


    Do you know if these purdy birds are on the west coast of Florida? I've not seen any over here. I'd like to shoot some. (along with about 50 other birds supposedly in the state).


    Hey Mike,

    I'll post the rest throughout the year. Whenever I need a pic to pst I have a clection of caracara shots to draw against. rolleyes1.gif

    Caracaras are mostly found in Texas. We have 3-4 mating pairs down in my area so they are fairly regular visitors here. On the gulf side of Florida Ding Darling Refuge and Corkscrew swamp are excellent shooting locales. I also think that there's a rookery on Venice.

    I never try to interact with my subjects. Its a successful shoot for me if I get my shots and the birds never know I was there.


    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    bfjr wrote:
    Like you always say Harry "Birds are evil creatures" 15524779-Ti.gif

    He's was being just a normal bird then icon10.gif at least he posed for you, mine won't even do that roflol.gif
    I'm so sorry for your lack of posing birds. It must be West Coast thing because the Florida birds are a bit better behaved. biggrinbounce2.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    That 3rd shot is just gorgeous Harry. Even though you didn't get your bif I think you still had a very successful shoot. Some of us only dream of getting shots like that (and of haveing 700mm reach).

    Nick
    Nick
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  • SeamusSeamus Registered Users Posts: 1,573 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    Harryb wrote:
    )
    I was sorely tempted to floor the gas pedal and run him over but I resisted. This time.


    rolleyes1.gif , I met a heron today who hadn't read your thread on lighting and refused to move to a more favourable position. I think it's time to carry a shotgun with the camera. They have to learn to co-operate :gun2

    Seamus.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 20, 2005
    Dee wrote:
    the darn bird would have flown off! rolleyes1.gif
    You are absolutely right Dee. Birds are evil creatures.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 21, 2005
    gluwater wrote:
    That 3rd shot is just gorgeous Harry. Even though you didn't get your bif I think you still had a very successful shoot. Some of us only dream of getting shots like that (and of haveing 700mm reach).

    Nick
    Thanks Nick.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 21, 2005
    Seamus wrote:
    yelrotflmao.gif , I met a heron today who hadn't read your thread on lighting and refused to move to a more favourable position. I think it's time to carry a shotgun with the camera. They have to learn to co-operate kali.gif

    Seamus.
    I have considered the shotgun idea myself. It has a lot going for it. Those birds will have to be taught that they can be shot one way or the other. 2ar15smilie.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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