Northern Shoveler

Prairie Falcon with a Northern Shoveler as prey (Graphic)

By Mia McPherson, on November 11th, 2012%

Prairie Falcon fly by after attacking the Northern Shoveler

Earlier this morning I spotted a Prairie Falcon perched on a rock while on the Antelope Island Causeway, before we could get stopped and into position to photograph the falcon it took off over the water and attacked a Northern Shoveler. The duck was floundering in the water and the Prairie Falcon flew over and past it when I took this image.

Another flyby – Prairie Falcon

The Prairie Falcon made several passes up and down the shoreline, landing, then taking off again. The waves pushed the dying Northern Shoveler closer and closer to the shore.

Prairie Falcon with Northern Shoveler at the edge of the Great Salt Lake

When the duck reached the shoreline the falcon showed a bit of hesitation about going over to it and after a bit the bird flew over to the Shoveler which was still part way in the water.

Prairie Falcon tearing into the neck of the Northern Shoveler

The Prairie Falcon tore into the neck of the duck at this point even while the waves rocked the duck and the falcon gently back and forth.

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 1

The the falcon gripped the duck with its talons, I wasn’t sure if it was going to fly away with its prey or just bring it on to the shore.

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 2

The Prairie Falcon seemed to struggle a bit with the weight of the Shoveler which can weigh up to 1.3 pounds (375 grams).

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 3

The falcon used its wings and its free foot to move the duck.

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 4

It seemed determined to move it away from the water.

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 5

I really liked this pose and the great eye contact the raptor was giving me.

Prairie Falcon moving the Northern Shoveler from the water 6

The falcon continued to drag the duck to drier ground.

Prairie Falcon with Northern Shoveler on the shore

It finally made it! The small waves were not reaching this section of the shoreline. I like how this shows the yellow feet, the dark tips of the talons and the yellow cere of this adult Prairie Falcon.

Prairie Falcon devouring the Northern Shoveler

The falcon wasted no time and tore into the breast of the Northern Shoveler and feathers were flying as it did. I wish that the bird had been closer but if it had been it might not have stuck around to eat its prey in front of us. The light began to fade as another cloud came in from the west, it was snowing (again) to the south and west.

Prairie Falcon with a pile of feathers from the Northern Shoveler

The falcon really chowed down on the Shoveler as we watched and photographed. When we left because the light was leaving us the handsome raptor was still there and still eating the duck.

I have to tell you it feels totally awesome to watch a falcon attack, bring in and eat the prey it caught naturally. These birds are simply amazing.

All of these images were taken with my Nikon D300 and Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC lens resting on my noodle. The Prairie Falcon wasn’t baited, it supplied its own food.

Mia

(I took a boat load of images of this falcon, these were just a few that I liked)

Peregrine Falcon with prey ~ Low light

By Mia McPherson, on December 28th, 2011%

Where is the light when you want it? Yesterday it was hiding behind the clouds and lake fog when I spotted this Peregrine Falcon at a close distance, on prey and sticky. The frustrations of being a bird photographer were glaringly apparent to me yesterday morning. Curses!

Peregrine Falcon on top of prey
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) on top of prey ~ Davis County, Utah
Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light, not baited or set up

I was the closest I have ever been to a wild Peregrine Falcon yesterday but I felt my heart sink knowing that the light was not going to be in my favor. There were no visible openings in the clouds. And it there it was on prey too!

Since moving to Utah and being faced with more low light situations than I ever had in Florida, I have had plenty of practice learning the techniques required for when the light just will not cooperate. So I just attempted to do my best with the light that I had.

I had 27 minutes with this Peregrine Falcon so I played with many different settings, changed my ISO for faster shutter speeds, adjusted my exposure compensation and my aperture trying to get sharp, interesting images of this young falcon.

I watched and photographed the falcon tearing into the Northern Shoveler beneath it, there were feathers flying everywhere and unfortunately there just wasn’t enough light to capture that action even at ISO 1600, all I got were blurry feathers floating softly towards the ground.

I also observed the falcon’s crop growing larger and larger as it ate.

Peregrine Falcon removing intestines of its prey ~Davis County, Utah
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/320, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

I could barely detect a catchlight in the falcon’s eyes because the rays of the cold looking barely touched the eyes but despite the low light of the barely visible sun I kept right on shooting and hoping I’d get a few images of this beautiful bird worth saving.

I did get those images but; oh, what I would have given for the sweet light just after dawn. Perhaps another time.

Mia