Unidentified Flying Object... any bird watchers here?

[Sean Dempsey]

Here is a shot I grabbed of a bird that was flying over me at the lake today as I was taking portraits of my girlfriend. He just was hovering over me on a thermal, going into the wind so he wasn't really moving. Must have stayed like that for 30 seconds.

Anyone identify it? Red Tailed Hawk? I can't tell. Also, he's carrying something, a lizard or rodent or fish?

This was very exciting, it was my first real "wildlife shot"... besides those deer and cows that everyone gets =D

Digital Rebel,
3/20/2004 10:38:07
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/500
Av( Aperture Value )
8.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm

[Chunk]

Here is a shot I grabbed of a bird that was flying over me at the lake today as I was taking portraits of my girlfriend. He just was hovering over me on a thermal, going into the wind so he wasn't really moving. Must have stayed like that for 30 seconds.

Anyone identify it? Red Tailed Hawk? I can't tell. Also, he's carrying something, a lizard or rodent or fish?

This was very exciting, it was my first real "wildlife shot"... besides those deer and cows that everyone gets =D

Digital Rebel,
3/20/2004 10:38:07
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/500
Av( Aperture Value )
8.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm

Adult Western Red-tailed Hawk, light morph.

Nice shot

[Peter_AUS]

Sean,

Try and keep the images down to a better size to view on the net, they are too wide.

I thought Hawk from initial viewing as well. What kind probably as the above poster says.

PaulinNJ will give you the definative answer it if is incorrect I am sure.

Welcome to the forums.

[paulnj]

sure is... adult western RT hawk that david allen sibley guy knows his .... I KNOW, I BIRDED with him in the fall of 2002 in CAPE MAY
you exposure on this is too light i think? they are more brownish than your image shows i do believe

here's how i remember the few light morph westerns i've seen

[paulnj]

btw... post any bird image and we'll get you an ID!

[Asylum Steve]

Paul,

No dis, but I know for a FACT that this is actually a CHINESE EAGLE KITE:

http://www.bigcitykites.com/chinabirdkites.shtml

Time to get the ole peepers checked...

sure is... adult western RT hawk that david allen sibley guy knows his .... I KNOW, I BIRDED with him in the fall of 2002 in CAPE MAY
you exposure on this is too light i think? they are more brownish than your image shows i do believe

here's how i remember the few light morph westerns i've seen

[paulnj]

Paul,

No dis, but I know for a FACT that this is actually a CHINESE EAGLE KITE:

http://www.bigcitykites.com/chinabirdkites.shtml

Time to get the ole peepers checked...

BY MISTAKE

last i checked the spring PEEPERS were in chorus, but the temp is far colder these last few days!

your a riot steve!