[Leica] IMG: Raptor migration

[Gene Duprey]

Great shots Doug.  Thanks for the technical ID information on the hawks
also.  Looks like the Sony and Canon combo are working well for you.  I am
waiting for my copy of the new Nikon 200 - 500 f5.6 zoom to arrive on
Tuesday.  should be a nice compliment to my 400/2.8.  Also I need to take a
break from unpacking boxes and get out and do some shooting next week. ;)

Gene


On Sat, Sep 26, 2015 at 4:49 PM, Doug Herr <wildlightphoto at earthlink.net>
wrote:

> Last week I visited the Marin Headlands (Marin County California) where
> migrating raptors are funneled by various landforms to the Golden Gate
> where they cross on their southbound journey.  Hill 129, also known as Hawk
> Hill, is the last high ground before crossing to San Francisco which
> provides astute observers an opportunity to see huge numbers and a wide
> variety of these raptors.  The Golden Gate Raptor observatory (GGRO;
> ggro.org) has been tracking the timing and numbers of these birds for a
> few decades; (here's my political rant) if Congress fails to pass a budget
> in the next week GGRO will shut down and the continuity of the migration
> data will be broken.
>
> Last Thursday's migration saw several species not normally found in the
> Bay Area, or even west of the Rocky Mountains.
>
> First is a Red-shouldered Hawk, common in the central valley's remaining
> riparian habitats but uncommon in the Bay Area
>
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/rshawk03.html
>
> This bird's black-and-white pattern on the wings and tail, and the
> nearly-translucent flight feathers toward the tip of the wing are good
> identification features.
>
>
> The Red-tailed Hawk is common in much of California so it's no surprise
> many migrate past Hawk Hill.  There is a lot of variation in this species'
> plumage but the adult's brick-red tail is unmistakeable.  The immature
> Red-tail with its band of streaks across the belly and dark patagial marks
> (the leading edge of the wing next to the body) is easy to identify.  These
> field marks are also found on the adult.
>
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/rthawk15.html
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/rthawk16.html
>
>
> The Ferruginous Hawk's dramatic plumage is a welcome treat during
> migration.  This bird will also winter in some areas of the Central Valley:
>
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/fehawk06.html
>
>
> The Broad-winged Hawk is common in the eastern part of the continent but
> west or the Rocky Mountains it's a very rare sight except at Hawk Hill.
> Note the dark outline of the wings and the banding on the tail, more
> distinct in the adult than in the juvenile Broad-wing:
>
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/bwhawk01.html
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/buteo/bwhawk02.html
>
>
> A much smaller species is the Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Compared with the very
> similar Cooper's Hawk, the Sharp-shinned can be identified in flight by its
> head barely extending forward of the leading edge of the wings:
>
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/accipiter/sshawk02.html
>
> technical stuff: (off topic) Sony a7II, Canon FD 500mm f/4.5 L
>
> Doug Herr
> Birdman of Sacramento
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com
> http://doug-herr.fineartamerica.com
>
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