Roadrunner

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone..

This was probably one of the most exciting captures I have ever made but it was ruined because the day I took these my Mark III was on its last leg.

I was shooting some eagles perched in a tree but couldn't get a good shot. So I switched lenses and decided to try to get closer. As I was walking down the narrow path toward the lake this Roadrunner walked out of the bush and walked right toward me.. literally. I couldn't believe it because even though I have seen a few of these in the desert they are usually going 90 mph and in the opposite direction.

This one walked right toward me, stopping, posing.. almost stepped on my foot and then after passing me continued down the path. My heart was going 200 bpm. I couldn't believe he didn't care that I was there (full disclosure.. I was geared up in my camo gear, but still I was totally out on the open trail and carrying my camera hooked to my tripod). He even stood there as I set my tripod down and started shooting.

I shot about 20 shots and these are the only ones that came out.. all the rest were a total blur. I had to work these over pretty good because the focus was really failing but at least I salvaged a couple. As he walked toward me I lost focus because he was closer than minimum focus range of the lens.

I am constantly amazed at all these critters and how they sometimes act/react toward humans.

All but the head shot are sized but uncropped, that is how close he was to me using my 300mm. The head shot is cropped and reduced from image #2.

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#4

JenGrace

Very cool! At least, even with a failing camera, you came out with some really great shots!

JohnDC

Great shots. Good thing your camera held out long enough to get them. Did you notice if the roadrunner was reacting to the sound of your camera? I had a similar experience. After 15 minutes of tracking a roadrunner through the bush, it finally came out in the open, about 30-40 feet away. As soon as I started shooting, it went on high alert, then charged me, stopping at my feet. It was obviously reacting to the camera shutter sound.

I'm guessing the camera either sounded like the "bill clatter" call of the roadrunner or it sounded like a small rattlesnake, which the roadrunners eat. Maybe both.

PrescottPhotog

JenW wrote:

Very cool! At least, even with a failing camera, you came out with some really great shots!

Hi Jen.. Thank you for your compliment. I am glad I could salvage a couple shots, I probably won't ever have the same chance again.

PrescottPhotog

JohnDC wrote:

Great shots. Good thing your camera held out long enough to get them. Did you notice if the roadrunner was reacting to the sound of your camera?

Hi John. I don't think it was reacting to my camera because when it first came out onto the path I was just walking along at a normal pace with my camera over my shoulder. I thought for sure it would bolt but it just kept walking toward me, then right past me as I was shooting.. like I wasn't even there. Even while I shot it was looking off the path for breakfast but didn't seem bothered my me at all. You can see in the one shot how it sort of hunkered down on the path.. don't know why but it wasn't anything I did.

I've seen them go after lizards when I lived in Phoenix and it is something to see. They are lightening fast and then they beat their catch to death on the ground before swallowing it. The ones I've seen in the past don't hang around long when people are around.

jwear

dam I missed one a bosque --lucky you nice work

Harryb

Good captures under difficult conditions. Its really a lousy feeling when your camera goes down.

Giphsub

Failing camera or not, great shots and captures Chris!

PrescottPhotog

jwear wrote:

dam I missed one a bosque --lucky you nice work

Hi Jeff, They're pretty tough to find, I didn't even know they were up here in the high country. Thanks for viewing.

PrescottPhotog

Harryb wrote:

Good captures under difficult conditions. Its really a lousy feeling when your camera goes down.

Thanks Harry.. Hurry up and get that D3, I can't wait to see your shots. Did you see this post..

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/nikon-d3-d300.shtml

It's pretty interesting.

PrescottPhotog

Giphsub wrote:

Failing camera or not, great shots and captures Chris!

Hi Mike.. Thanks for viewing and for your comments.

spechtal

These are beautiful shots or a very cool looking bird.

JavaLover

Very cool shots of a hard to capture model. I've seen tons of these guys running around but never really saw the depth of color that you captured.

BigAl

Well done Chris

BTW, don't you mean uncropped, rather than 100% crops?

Maestro

The wonderful cuckoo family. I wish I could get more roadrunners but they are just so darn skittish. Good job gettig this one!

raptorcaptor

I had three occaisions to get some photos of roadrunners on my trip to the SS, and blew all three.

Great set!

dbaker1221

really cool photos !!!!!:ivar

PrescottPhotog

spechtal wrote:

These are beautiful shots or a very cool looking bird.

Hi Angela.. Thanks for viewing and for you comments.

PrescottPhotog

JavaLover wrote:

Very cool shots of a hard to capture model. I've seen tons of these guys running around but never really saw the depth of color that you captured.

Hi JavaLover.. Thanks for your comments. The colors on this guy are pretty cool.. All his back feathers are a real dark green.. when viewing the full shot they are outstanding.

PrescottPhotog

BigAl wrote:

Well done Chris

BTW, don't you mean uncropped, rather than 100% crops?

Hi Al.. Thanks for viewing and thanks for pointing out the "cropped" mistake. My mind was thinking one thing and fingers were doing something else.

PrescottPhotog

raptorcaptor wrote:

I had three occaisions to get some photos of roadrunners on my trip to the SS, and blew all three. Great set!

Hi Glenn.. Thanks for viewing. Sorry you missed your shots but this guy was an exception to all the others I've seen.

PrescottPhotog

Maestro wrote:

The wonderful cuckoo family. I wish I could get more roadrunners but they are just so darn skittish. Good job gettig this one!

Hi Stephen.. Thanks for your comments. They are skittish for sure.

PrescottPhotog

dbaker1221 wrote:

really cool photos !!!!!:ivar

Hi Dave.. Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated.

riddim_maker

Glad you got a couple of shot of this guy before the Mrk 3 quit on you.
This seems like a rare opportunity since these guys are usually very skittish.
Great captures Chris