RT baby - Can you see me now (large post)

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone,

Well it was a pretty cold and rainy holiday weekend so I didn't go out to the nest. The first shot shows the baby on my last trip-5/22/08 sitting on the nest still all fuzzy and soft.

I went out yesterday, 5 days later, and was amazed at what I saw. The baby was alone when I got there and I didn't expect much cause all I could see was a head shot. Pretty soon he looked up and that was when dad showed up with breakfast.. it DID NOT last long (he turned his back while eating so no gory shots). Dad only stays a few seconds and then leaves.

Then mom showed up as soon as dad left (as I said before, mom and dad are almost inseparable). To see mom and the little one side by side shows just how much it has grown, almost as big as mom already.

The metamorphosis these little ones go through in such a short period of time must be havoc on them. It's like you could watch them grow right in front of your eyes... amazing. (sorry for the leaves in some photos.. I have no control when it is blowing).

#1 - taken 5/22/08

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The rest (below) taken 5/27/08
#2 - Rodent or not, ya just gotta feel sorry for this poor mouse.

#3 - Mouse to mulch in about 30 seconds.. Dad dropped it and the little one pounced on it but it was all behind the leaves blowing.

#4 - Breakfast is over, dad left and mom arrives

#5 - Every time this little guy tries to flap his wings he falls flat on his face, it is a riot to watch. He's not sure what they're for yet.

#6

#7 - Okay, time to stretch a little bit and get some sun.

#8

#9

bfjr

Nice update

dbaker1221

:ivar excellent update shots

raptorcaptor

The mouse did not seem to be pleased! Great set Chris!

Maestro

Spectacular! You really nailed the focus even though there were leaves and sticks with which to deal! And I did feel sorry for the mouse.

dlplumer

Very great!

Giphsub

Cool set Chris! I love 6 & 9

PrescottPhotog

bfjr wrote:

Nice update

Hi Ben, Thanks for viewing and for your comment.

PrescottPhotog

dbaker1221 wrote:

:ivar excellent update shots

Hi Dave, Thanks for the compliment. I'm having a heck of a time with the glare off the trees from the morning sun. If I adjust the exposure to take care of the glare the shadows from the leaves make the shot very dark..

I tried everything but from this distance plus stacking the extenders I don't have much to work with. Between the leaves, wind, sun and junior now running all over the nest I shot over 250 frames to get a few that didn't get blocked or over/underexposed and OOF

PrescottPhotog

raptorcaptor wrote:

The mouse did not seem to be pleased! Great set Chris!

Hi Glenn, No, I can imagine it wasn't to pleased to have a front row seat to its own demise.. When dad dropped it in front of junior he was on it like gravy at the KFC. I have a couple shots of dad giving it to the little one but they are mostly blocked by the blowing leaves. Oh well..

PrescottPhotog

Maestro wrote:

Spectacular! You really nailed the focus even though there were leaves and sticks with which to deal! And I did feel sorry for the mouse.

Hi Stephen, Thanks for your compliments. It's getting tough to get a focused shot because I am shooting manual focus from such a great distance.

Now that junior is getting his legs he is doing the Foxtrot all over the nest. I get focused then off he goes to the other side not stand in one spot for very long..

Harryb

Wonderful set Chris captured under very challenging conditions. What you need to do is get a tall ladder and weed whacker to eliminate some of the obstructions.

PrescottPhotog

dlplumer wrote:

Very great!

Hi Dan, Thank you for your compliment and for viewing.

Ric Grupe

Leaves or not...I'll take that last shot any day!

I appreciate the time you take to post this event.

JavaLover

Aww, he's growing up, getting feathers like a big bird. Love the comentary with the photos, thanks!

Dogdots

These are just great

Momma needs to teach the "wee one" to wipe his mouth after eating

I dislike mice....feel sorry for this one tho....looks like it see's what coming. Poor thing :cry

PrescottPhotog

Giphsub wrote:

Cool set Chris! I love 6 & 9

Hi Mike, Thank you for your compliments, it is a treat being able to follow this guy grow up.

PrescottPhotog

Harryb wrote:

Wonderful set Chris captured under very challenging conditions. What you need to do is get a tall ladder and weed whacker to eliminate some of the obstructions.

Hi Harry,
Thank you for your compliments. I think I would need a hook and ladder truck to reach the limb because the nest is about 75 feet off the ground. I never noticed it when she first started sitting on the nest because the tree was bare.

I can't count how many times I have wished it away, cursed it, put a hex on it, thought of 1000 or more ways to try and get it out of the way and it is still there.. Oh well. I can guarantee it won't be there next year..

coscorrosa

Wow! Incredible how quickly they grow! Very nice (and educational) set.

PrescottPhotog

Ric Grupe wrote:

Leaves or not...I'll take that last shot any day!
I appreciate the time you take to post this event.

Hi Ric, Thank you for the compliments. I could watch the little guy for hours. I'm starting to think it might be a girl because of the dark brown chest feathers (not sure though). The last shot did turn out well. It was one of about 20 that I took trying to catch the head in front of the leaves.. this one worked.

I'm enjoying posting the progress for all to see. It won't be long before it leaves the nest then I will be back to shooting ducks and vultures..

PrescottPhotog

JavaLover wrote:

Aww, he's growing up, getting feathers like a big bird. Love the comentary with the photos, thanks!

Hi JavaLover.. Thanks for viewing, I'm glad you are enjoying watching it grow, I know I am.

PrescottPhotog

Dogdots wrote:

These are just great

Momma needs to teach the "wee one" to wipe his mouth after eating

I dislike mice....feel sorry for this one tho....looks like it see's what coming. Poor thing :cry

Hi Mary Kim, Thank you for the compliments. It's no fun if there isn't a little blood on beak.. The adults just swallow those little field mice whole, so no blood..

PrescottPhotog

coscorrosa wrote:

Wow! Incredible how quickly they grow! Very nice (and educational) set.

Hi Ron, I was really amazed when I saw the "not so little" little guy when I went to the nest. Then, on the last shot, when it stood on the edge of the nest I was really amazed that just 5 days earlier it was all fuzz.

Thank you for the compliments.