Hunting Rabbits with Hawks

kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
edited December 8, 2010 in Wildlife
Meet Ron, he has an interesting hobby.

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Evidently the empty desert area by my neighborhood is famous, because these guys came all the way from California to fly their hawks here. I saw them on the side of the road just before sundown last night and chatted with them. We made a date to meet this morning.

This is Bob with his hands full.
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These are Harris hawks. I was told that the Harris are the only species of hawks that hunt in packs.

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Watch out bunny!
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Attack!
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Run bunny, run!
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Interesting point of trivia. The hawks fly very fast down wind, but much slower upwind. They hate flying up wind. The bunnies know this, and so they often will run upwind to get away. This one got away.

The hawks get a little spritz to cool off
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And get a lift back to the car
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Bye!
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BTW, these were all hand-held shots taken with my Canon 40D and 500mm F4 lens. There is a lot of running around in this sport. The action is insanely fast, and I ran and walked for miles with this rig, chasing the hawks. It was a workout. There were several kills, but I didn't manage to capture any of them. The speed of the action, and the distances the hawks travel, plus all the erratic movements make this extremely challenging to photograph. Even though the action shots kinda suck, I'm pretty happy to have gotten what I did.

The hawks are amazingly tame. They have leather straps on their ankles to give the owner something to hang on to like a leash while they're getting them in and out of their cages. The rest of the time, the hawks are completely on their own. They fly at will, and go wherever they want. Many of the owners put transmitters on the birds so they can be located if they get lost. The birds are really well trained and come when called, either by voice or whistle. It's pretty darn cool. They'll often go whizzing right by your head, which is a bit unnerving at first. I had more than one perch on my 500mm lens.

This was a real kick to watch and to participate. Quite thrilling actually. When a bunny pops up, both the hawks and the owners start screaming. Usually, at the end of the chase, the birds end up way down wind, and have to make their way upwind to get back. It was windy day, and so the hawks would often stop and rest on their way back. They really hate the wind.

There are more shots here, if you're interested. http://jmgphoto.smugmug.com/Animals/Hawkers/14741265_cgJWh#1098495157_RB6NU

Thanks for looking!
-joel
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Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2010
    Outstanding Joel. clap.gif

    Very interesting story and I'm glad it wasn't me out there running with a 500mm. I may have to contact those folks. I got this damn rabbit that's chewing up my landscaping.
    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!"
  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited November 20, 2010
    Wow ... this is just fascinating. I never knew they did stuff like this. I noticed in this photo one had a funny looking bombers cap on -- what was it?

    What a wonderful hobby...a chance in a life time for you thumb.gif
  • deb22deb22 Registered Users Posts: 428 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    First let me say ,Joel those are great shots! For those of you who think this is fantastic [the captive birds not Joel's shots} you may want to read up on the life of these birds. I was an animal control agent for many years and also a wildlife re-habilitaor and have unfortunaltly had experience with both the birds and the people who use them. No don't e-mail me and tell me how great you treat your captive bird I know some good people who do this[ they are few and far between] but it does not change the training and techniques used for this "sport" and if you think they take a well feed bird hunting I have a bridge for sale. Not trying to get negative responses here just look at the beauty of the shots but to call it a wonderful hobby without knowing what the cap is for ..well... just learn on your own and make up your own mind. Thanks for the shots though it does give people an opportunity to see this side of captivity,something that maybe many have not seen before.
    COUNTRY ROADS ARE NATURES HIGHWAY. http://dafontainewildlife.com
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    Harryb wrote: »
    Outstanding Joel. clap.gif

    Very interesting story and I'm glad it wasn't me out there running with a 500mm. I may have to contact those folks. I got this damn rabbit that's chewing up my landscaping.

    Thanks, Harry. Funny, I showed up this morning with my Gitzo and full Wimberley ready for action, and Bob just laughed at me and said to put it away. He was right, there was no way that was going to work. I had no other lenses with me, so had to go with the flow. The focus speed of the 40D was a real bugger too. It just killed me trying to keep the lens on target waiting to acquire focus, and by that time the chase was usually out of my line of sight. Very, very frustrating, and makes me want a pro body now.

    The rabbits in my area are totally out of control, thick as flies. It's a perfect set up for these guys.
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    Dogdots wrote: »
    Wow ... this is just fascinating. I never knew they did stuff like this. I noticed in this photo one had a funny looking bombers cap on -- what was it?

    What a wonderful hobby...a chance in a life time for you thumb.gif

    Thanks, Mary. Every birder seems to have a different way of doing things. We had about a 1/2 mile walk at the end of the day to get back to the cars, and the birders don't want their birds constantly getting side-tracked and flying off. So some of the guys carried the birds under their arm like you saw. This gentlemen puts a little blinder hood on his bird so he'll stay nicely perched for the way back.
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    deb22 wrote: »
    First let me say ,Joel those are great shots!
    Thanks for the comment, Deb.

    I wish you had stopped there though, instead of pissing on my thread with your editorial, which btw, is against the terms of service on Dgrin. One is to comment on photography, not editorialize on content. You know NOTHING about these folks. You said it yourself, that there are good and bad falconers, so you don't know if they fit your criteria of good or bad. Instead, you decided to damn them all with the same brush. Well, here's a clue for you. They gut the rabbits that are killed and take them with them when they leave. What do you think they do with those rabbits? Here's a hint: they aren't making rabbit stew. rolleyes1.gif
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    Very interesting series of images, Joel.

    All of these were shot with the 500? Some seem like you had a shorter focal length as well, maybe.

    I can just imagine trying to follow this action with a 40D and a hand held 500f4. You will be much happier with a 7D at least. Or a 1DMK4, but the 7D would be more inexpensive. Then you could have your 40D switched to IR.

    Falconry has been with us humans for a very long time.

    Great series of images, Joel.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    Thanks, Jim! Yes, these are all shot with the 500. I was constantly running away from folks so I could get their portraits fitted into the frame. And yes, I think it's getting time for me to upgrade to a faster crop-body camera for wildlife. The 40D takes great images, but that AF just kills me trying to keep that 500 on target while it slowly locks focus while hand-holding it. The 1DMIV is weighing heavily on my mind. But... it's a bit hard to justify for a working stiff that doesn't get to use it often enough. I was hoping to wait for the follow-on to the 7D (7DMKII? 8D?), but I'm starting to get antsy now. I've got a few wildlife trips in mind that will probably take place before such a body is released. So I should probably just go out and grab the 7D now. I think. Maybe...

    Cheers,
    -joel
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    I wondered if you were having to run away from those fellas holding the bird to just fit them in the frame. That is hard work!!

    I used my 7D for wildlife in Alaska from a rocking boat and found it fairly successful, handholding the 100-400 which is not the greatest auto focusing lens either.

    The 7D is much, much better than the 40D. It is hard to justify the 1DMk4 isn't it? But it would be nice - it will blow the 7D into the ditch I am sure. I owned a 1DMkii briefly, a few years ago, and it was awesome.
    If you had the 7D you could put a wider lens on the 40D for up close, so you wouldn't have to run around so much!
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    pathfinder wrote: »
    If you had the 7D you could put a wider lens on the 40D for up close, so you wouldn't have to run around so much!
    Or use my 5DMKII for that. I could have done that today, but there is simply no way I could have carried a second body on me while running around with that 500. :nah

    You know the other thing is that I'm seeing used 1DMKIIn's going in the $1200 vicinity. One of those wouldn't be too shabby for capturing the action I don't imagine.
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    excellent..thanks
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • korandokekorandoke Registered Users Posts: 517 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    Nice report

    Best regards,
    Korandoke
    Best regards,
    Korandoke
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    deb22 wrote: »
    First let me say ,Joel those are great shots! For those of you who think this is fantastic [the captive birds not Joel's shots} you may want to read up on the life of these birds. I was an animal control agent for many years and also a wildlife re-habilitaor and have unfortunaltly had experience with both the birds and the people who use them. No don't e-mail me and tell me how great you treat your captive bird I know some good people who do this[ they are few and far between] but it does not change the training and techniques used for this "sport" and if you think they take a well feed bird hunting I have a bridge for sale. Not trying to get negative responses here just look at the beauty of the shots but to call it a wonderful hobby without knowing what the cap is for ..well... just learn on your own and make up your own mind. Thanks for the shots though it does give people an opportunity to see this side of captivity,something that maybe many have not seen before.

    Falconry has existed for a long time now. In the US one must get a license to participate in the sport. The requirements one has to meet to practice the sport in Arizona can be found here.

    Our local conservation groups including Audubon and the Sierra Club sponsor a yearly wildlife festival. This festival usually includes a demonstration of falconry.

    It would seem that your objections here are not shared by the leading conservation groups in the US. In my limited exposure to the sport I have found its practitioners to be extremely diligent about the care and handling of their charges.

    Now I don't know everyone who is active in the sport so I can't say that all of its practitioners are OK. I just wish that you had limited your remarks to the folks you had dealt with instead of assuming Kdog's subjects and all the others falconers in the US and the rest of the world were like them.

    To sum it up here. Falconry is a legal practice that is regulated in the US. Faloners have to meet established guidelines on the care and feeding of their charges. The birding and conservation groups I have been active with are not in opposition to the sport.
    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!"
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    Great shots Joel! Looks like a heck of an adventure to witness and participate in. The fact that one of the Hawks landed on your lens is just awesome.

    The shots remind me of a visit to a raptor rescue center not far from my house. The couple is the primary contact for all state and federal agencies when it comes to relocating raptors in Arizona. Being close to these birds is nothing short of amazing.
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited November 21, 2010
    dbaker1221 wrote: »
    excellent..thanks
    Thanks, Dave! Good to see you around again.
    korandoke wrote: »
    Nice report

    Best regards,
    Korandoke
    Thanks, K!
    anwmn1 wrote: »
    Great shots Joel! Looks like a heck of an adventure to witness and participate in. The fact that one of the Hawks landed on your lens is just awesome.
    Yeah, not just once did he land on my lens, but a couple of times. The hawks recognize their owners and fly to them. But they're not afraid of other humans and are happy to use you as a perch if you look inviting enough. It's so cool and such a huge change from shooting raptors in the wild which are extremely difficult to get anywhere near.
    The shots remind me of a visit to a raptor rescue center not far from my house. The couple is the primary contact for all state and federal agencies when it comes to relocating raptors in Arizona. Being close to these birds is nothing short of amazing.
    These guys were all members of an organization called the California Hawking Club. I would invite anybody concerned about the treatment of hawks by club members to read the following article on becoming a Hawker. http://www.calhawkingclub.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=64

    Clearly, it is not an endeavor that one enters casually. There is a huge responsibility and code of ethics involved with hawking, not to mention testing and licensing. From what I can see, the notion that the majority hawkers abuse their animals is completely unfounded.
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2010
    Great post Joel! Loved the pics and the info. thumb.gif
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • LindiweLindiwe Registered Users Posts: 606 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2010
    ...how did I manage to miss this thread?
    Fantastic series of images, and a great story. Fantastic, that you were able to make the most of a chance meeting. Have to admit that my mind boggles at the thought of running around with that huge lens. Not sure I could even hold it up while standing still!
    While I love the action shots (especially the one with the rabbit that got away!) my favourite image is the last one. It's just awesome.
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2010
    Very cool. I know what I want for Christmas now. :-) Nice job and thanks for sharing.
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2010
    kdog, very cool images and series and thanks for the story behind these birds. I seen the image with the one on your lens, OK they are heavy to begin with and and added hawk sure must have strained our muscles.
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 2, 2010
    Great post Joel! Loved the pics and the info. thumb.gif
    Thanks, Glenn. Sorry I missed your comment until now.
    Lindiwe wrote: »
    ...how did I manage to miss this thread?
    Fantastic series of images, and a great story. Fantastic, that you were able to make the most of a chance meeting. Have to admit that my mind boggles at the thought of running around with that huge lens. Not sure I could even hold it up while standing still!
    While I love the action shots (especially the one with the rabbit that got away!) my favourite image is the last one. It's just awesome.
    Thanks, Lindiwe! You know when I first came to the realization that a tripod wasn't going to work, my heart sank. So I just grabbed the whole rig and started out. It started out pretty shaky but I got more used to it after a while. It does tend to hurt my back though. I did two more days of shooting with these folks, and got more used to it. My back always hurts, so who knows. I definitely plan to do more though. It really exciting. nod.gif
    Very cool. I know what I want for Christmas now. :-) Nice job and thanks for sharing.
    Hey thanks, Mike! I did two more days of shooting with these guys, and still haven't finished processing the shots yet. Wait until you see what they were hunting with next. :wow

    Cheers,
    -joel
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited December 2, 2010
    Joel, what an adventure--and that last photo is terrific. I saw this series when you first posted, and was amazed that you could get these shots hand held--and that was before I knew you were carting a bird around on your huge lens! Best, Pam
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 2, 2010
    kdog, very cool images and series and thanks for the story behind these birds. I seen the image with the one on your lens, OK they are heavy to begin with and and added hawk sure must have strained our muscles.
    Hey thanks, Dennis. You know that lens weighs so much, you don't really notice another couple of pounds on it. Or maybe I was just so excited to have the bird on my lens, I'm not sure. But it I really didn't notice any extra weight. Glad you enjoyed the set.

    -joel
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 2, 2010
    PGM wrote: »
    Joel, what an adventure--and that last photo is terrific. I saw this series when you first posted, and was amazed that you could get these shots hand held--and that was before I knew you were carting a bird around on your huge lens! Best, Pam
    The birds are so amazing, Pam. They seem like one of the guys out there. I swear they have their own personality. I'm really loving them, but NO, I'm NOT getting one. :nah It's way to huge a responsibility. I will be perfectly content with tagging along and taking pictures.

    Cheers,
    -joel
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited December 3, 2010
    Lindiwe wrote: »
    ...how did I manage to miss this thread?
    Fantastic series of images, and a great story.

    Me too...on both the question and the comment!thumb.gifclap
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2010
    Fantastic post, Joel. Great shots and a great adventure for you. kingman is a happening place. clap.gifclapclap.giflustclap.gif
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2010
    Kdog.....well done a great set of shots.....too bad no one got shots of you with bird perched on you lens......that would have been killer........
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • BFauskaBFauska Registered Users Posts: 22 Big grins
    edited December 6, 2010
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Kdog.....well done a great set of shots.....too bad no one got shots of you with bird perched on you lens......that would have been killer........

    They are on the third page of the gallery that he linked. He definitely needs to add one to this set though, awesome.
    http://jmgphoto.smugmug.com/Animals/Hawkers/14741265_cgJWh#1098495157_RB6NU

    Joel,
    Great shots, story, and forum self/subject defense. I rarely approach people I don't know in public and clearly this is the kind of opportunity that I miss, I guess it pays to be outgoing after all. I look forward to seeing the shots you eluded to from the next hunt.
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 6, 2010
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    Me too...on both the question and the comment!thumb.gifclap

    Thanks, Ric!
    dlplumer wrote: »
    Fantastic post, Joel. Great shots and a great adventure for you. kingman is a happening place. clap.gifclapclap.giflustclap.gif
    Thanks, Dan. Yeah, and who knew? rolleyes1.gif
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Kdog.....well done a great set of shots.....too bad no one got shots of you with bird perched on you lens......that would have been killer........
    Thanks, Art! See below.
    BFauska wrote: »
    They are on the third page of the gallery that he linked. He definitely needs to add one to this set though, awesome.
    http://jmgphoto.smugmug.com/Animals/Hawkers/14741265_cgJWh#1098495157_RB6NU

    Joel,
    Great shots, story, and forum self/subject defense. I rarely approach people I don't know in public and clearly this is the kind of opportunity that I miss, I guess it pays to be outgoing after all. I look forward to seeing the shots you eluded to from the next hunt.
    Thanks, B! Yeah, I grew up on the east coast, and don't mind getting into peoples faces if necessary. And yes, it can backfire for sure. :uhoh In this case it worked out great though.

    Here we go. Taken by one of the Hawkers with a Blackberry, no less!

    1112704513_UTu8R-XL.jpg

    1112419117_xqud5-XL-2.jpg
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2010
    Finally had time to go look over your gallery...very impressive.....do you find it easier to handhold with the tripod foot on top as in the pix??
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 7, 2010
    Thanks, Art. I do find it easier to hold the lens by the body, rather than the foot. Also, the foot pointing up makes a very convenient handle for carrying the rig. It's actually padded on the side of the foot facing the lens just for that purpose.
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