Caracaras

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited May 5, 2007 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

My home county of Grevard. Its is conducting a count of caracaras in hte county. Its estimated that there are 400 caracaras statewide at the moment. They are listed as threatened which is one step away from endagered (facing extinction). The biggest problem they face is the loss of the prarie like habitat that they favor. Their favorite nesting place is cabbage palm trees. Depending on the results of this study the developers may receive "heads ups" about destroying cabbage palms when they build (fat chance that will have of doing much).

Here's a few recent shots of the "Mexican Eagle' (its the national bird of Mexico).

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here's one carrying lunch back to its nest for the then chicks
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you can see the tracking device on the back of this one
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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

  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Great series of a beautiful raptor! Its really cool to see the tracking device on the back too.

    Man, I need to get to freaking Florida:oogle

    -j
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Absolutely amazing captures Harry thumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gif
    It's so unfortunate that we humans, knowingly or not, contribute to the demise of our environment and ourselves.
    I hope someday to be able to come to Florida and capture some of your dwindling wildlife before they are no more.
    Thanks for sharing Harry.
    Russ
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.thumb.gif

    How many have you seen?

    Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! rolleyes1.gifOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.wings.gif
  • Tessa HDTessa HD Registered Users Posts: 852 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    harry,
    Enjoyed your photos. Never heard of that bird before. Beautiful!

    Tessa
    Love to dream, and dream in color.

    www.tessa-hd.smugmug.com
    www.printandportfolio.com
    This summer's wilderness photography project: www.tessa-hd.smugmug.com/gallery/3172341
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    jeff lapoint wrote:
    Great series of a beautiful raptor! Its really cool to see the tracking device on the back too.

    Man, I need to get to freaking Florida:oogle

    -j

    Thanks Jeff, and you do need to get down to Florida.
    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!"
  • ArnicaArnica Registered Users Posts: 171 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Wow ! You have such unasual birding location in Florida ! I wish to have.
    Your photos are great !
  • ShepsMomShepsMom Registered Users Posts: 4,319 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    I need to make a trip where Harry lives, i can't never find anything around here....ne_nau.gif
    Marina
    www.intruecolors.com
    Nikon D700 x2/D300
    Nikon 70-200 2.8/50 1.8/85 1.8/14.24 2.8
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.thumb.gif

    How many have you seen?

    Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! rolleyes1.gifOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.wings.gif

    Oh crap that is funny. Hey here in Texas where Bush got his start, we've been letting the energy industry "police" itself when it comes to polluting the environment. eek7.gif But blame the dern Mexicans by God! Hell, that name caracara sounds foreign. Is that a terrerist boid? headscratch.gif

    In all seriousness, that is a wonderfully handsome bird. I will be on the lower Texas coast this summer so perhaps if I am lucky I will see one or two along with a peregrine.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    riddim_maker wrote:
    Absolutely amazing captures Harry thumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gif
    It's so unfortunate that we humans, knowingly or not, contribute to the demise of our environment and ourselves.
    I hope someday to be able to come to Florida and capture some of your dwindling wildlife before they are no more.
    Thanks for sharing Harry.


    Thanks Russ. I've noticed that we have fewer caracaras now than a few years earlier. I used to see 3-4 mating pairs but now I have only observed
    this one pair on a regular basis.

    You definitely have to get down here while you can still take a shot w/o having the golden arches in it somewhere.
    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!"
  • ShasocShasoc Registered Users Posts: 691 Major grins
    edited May 2, 2007
    Great set of images of a beautiful bird, Harry. thumb.gifclap.gif
    Socrate
    "Natura artis magistra"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.thumb.gif

    How many have you seen?

    Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! rolleyes1.gifOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.wings.gif

    Thanks Ric. I haven't been to the wetlands in the past 4 weeks but on my last visit we had four (the two parents and the two youngsters). In the past we have had 3-4 pairs in the area.

    I used to hate Cheney but then he shot a lawyer.

    Lou Dobbs is going to do a special report on CNN about these illegal Mexican birds stealing carrion from the embattled middle-class. 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!"
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2007
    are you sure this is not Ben headscratch.gif he also has 2 ankle bracelets ne_nau.gif but no he does not look this good thumb.gif nice ones Harry
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2007
    I used to hate Cheney but then he shot a lawyer.

    Hey...you have a valid point there! :D He's still a Dick though.rolleyes1.gif
    Lou Dobbs is going to do a special report on CNN about these illegal Mexican birds stealing carrion from the embattled middle-class. biggrinbounce2.gif

    deal.gifwings.gifthumb
  • Albert DicksonAlbert Dickson Registered Users Posts: 520 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2007
    Awsome series Harry.
    Thanks for sharing it. As I've posted before, I have botched two previous oportunities to photograph these wonderful raptors, they are an enigma to me. Next FL. trip they top my list. GOOD SHOOTIN!
    Albert D.
    Albert@WhetstoneImagery.com
    http://Albert-Dickson.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2007
    Tessa HD wrote:
    Enjoyed your photos. Never heard of that bird before. Beautiful!

    Tessa

    Thanks Tessa, the Caracara is only found in Mexico, Central America and the Gulf Coast states.
    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 May 3, 2007
    Arnica wrote:
    Wow ! You have such unasual birding location in Florida ! I wish to have.
    Your photos are great !

    Thanks and I ma very lucky to have a unique place close to my house which provides me with lots of photo ops.
    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 May 4, 2007
    ShepsMom wrote:
    I need to make a trip where Harry lives, i can't never find anything around here....ne_nau.gif

    Everyone who wnats to shoot birds needs to come down here. :D
    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!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2007
    jwear wrote:
    are you sure this is not Ben headscratch.gif he also has 2 ankle bracelets ne_nau.gif but no he does not look this good thumb.gif nice ones Harry

    I heard that umph.gif :ivar

    Harry
    Great photos, commentary and a general grasp on "What's up Doc"

    What can I say ylsuper.gif
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Oh crap that is funny. Hey here in Texas where Bush got his start, we've been letting the energy industry "police" itself when it comes to polluting the environment. eek7.gif But blame the dern Mexicans by God! Hell, that name caracara sounds foreign. Is that a terrerist boid? headscratch.gif

    In all seriousness, that is a wonderfully handsome bird. I will be on the lower Texas coast this summer so perhaps if I am lucky I will see one or two along with a peregrine.

    Thanks Stephen and you should get a chance at some Caracaras as Texas has more of those "undocumented birds" as we do. :D
    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 May 4, 2007
    Shasoc wrote:
    Great set of images of a beautiful bird, Harry. thumb.gifclap.gif

    Thank you very much Socrate.
    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 May 4, 2007
    jwear wrote:
    are you sure this is not Ben headscratch.gif he also has 2 ankle bracelets ne_nau.gif but no he does not look this good thumb.gif nice ones Harry

    He's way too good looking to be Ben. :ivar Thanks Jeff wave.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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2007
    Albert Dickson wrote:
    Thanks for sharing it. As I've posted before, I have botched two previous oportunities to photograph these wonderful raptors, they are an enigma to me. Next FL. trip they top my list. GOOD SHOOTIN!

    Thanks Albert and good luck on your caracara quest.
    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 May 5, 2007
    bfjr wrote:
    I heard that umph.gif :ivar

    Harry
    Great photos, commentary and a general grasp on "What's up Doc"

    What can I say ylsuper.gif

    Thank you Ben.
    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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