Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

[theMusicMan]

Well, the weather held out today and actually turned out to be very sunny and warm, so we went with Heather and her friend to the Welsh Hawking Center - gave me a great opportunity to further try out the Bigma.

Some beautiful birds are there, but I admit that although they are taken care of and extremely well looked after... no birds deserve to be locked up!

E-3, Sigma 50-500mm, 1/800 f6.3

[tlove]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

Love that photo John - what a cracker !!

Thea

[Barr1e]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

ditto.

Regards. Barr1e

[theMusicMan]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

Thanks both... here's another gorgeous bird - the European Eagle Owl - she was a stunner, an amazing looking bird.

[steverh]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

A couple of cracking shots there, John.

[Fluffy]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

Fantastic shots. How much do you pay the models? I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to ask either one for a model release.

OT: Why do hawks and falcons (and similar) have rounded beaks? We're convinced it's to protect them if they say miss a mouse. It'd be totally embarrassing if they had a straight beak and were left beak stuck in and wings frantically flapping. At least with a rounded beak they can skid along the ground until they get back under control. Much cooler behavior. Any more educated thoughts or knowledge gratefully appreciated.

Chrs, Stv

[theMusicMan]

Re: Peregrine Falcon at Welsh Hawking Center

Fantastic shots. How much do you pay the models? I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to ask either one for a model release.

Hehe, I don't think I'd be asking for one of those either, and I certainyl wouldn't argue with them if I did ask and they said no!! It's only when you get up close and personal with one of these birds when you realise their shear power and strength. At the Center last Saturday, Heather volunteered to have one of the birds fly onto her arm - she said the grip on the talons, despite having extremely thick gloves on, was incredible.

OT: Why do hawks and falcons (and similar) have rounded beaks? We're convinced it's to protect them if they say miss a mouse. It'd be totally embarrassing if they had a straight beak and were left beak stuck in and wings frantically flapping. At least with a rounded beak they can skid along the ground until they get back under control. Much cooler behavior. Any more educated thoughts or knowledge gratefully appreciated.

Chrs, Stv

The reason Steve that they all have rounded beaks, is a scientific explanation and is simply... strength. Think of the strength of something arc shaped, compared to the strength of something straight. Birds of prey don't usually use their beaks in the initial kill, they use the incredible grip of their talons. They pounce onto their prey, and use their talons - which are very sharp and incredibly strong - to often dismember the prey in the air. They then have to rip off chunks of the kill to feed themselves or their young - or more probably if no young are present, they will swallow it whole. When they have to rip and tear their prey, they use the beak - which is an arc shape - to simply grab and pull. Imagine them trying to do this with a straight beak! it would simply snap off easily and they'd be left, probably, to die.

It's the strength of the arc that allows them to rip the prey apart.

Hope that explains it for ya! and thanks for the comments about the shots. I'll process a few more later and post them for you.