Brown Falcons can be found across every Australian state and territory.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
Brown Falcons are a mid-size falcon that come in a range of shades, from quite pale to very dark, with some rufous birds too. Their underwings and tails are always pale with rufous bars. They have a dark stripe either side of each eye. I especially like their feathery trousers.
These falcons are about 46cm and weigh just over half a kilogram. They eat a range of prey including insects, small mammals, reptiles, carrion and birds.
I photographed this falcon at the Western Treatment Plant. It was taking off from one of the solar panels. The panels are fitted with anti-bird spikes to stop birds from covering the panels with poop but they have metal perches extending in the other direction.
Restrictions have been eased so I’m hoping I’ll be out and about with my camera soon. Though there were so many birds here today that I might venture into the garden and see if I can photograph some tiny garden birds to share with you next week.
Happy birding from home, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
What an ideal moment to take birds in flight. Great capture (on film)
Thank you Togram, it can be a bit easier to capture them this way as long as I’m quick enough.
I share your fondness for bird britches. And love that they can continue to perch/take off from the solar panels. Which leads me to suspect they can also crap on them, if so inclined.
I hope that you can get out to see and photograph the birds which excite you (and us), and would love to see your ‘garden’ birds too.
Shingles defeated? I do hope so.
‘Bird britches’! You have a wonderful way with words EC, as I’ve said many times. The way they’ve set up the perching post means it’s angled away from the spikes so it would have to be a very vigorous poop to sully the panels – though it must happen sometimes, maybe when birds are coming into land, though they usually poop just before they take off.
I sat outside with my camera for a few hours and saw a Brown Thornbill in the shade. When I wandered back in the hoards arrived to be enjoyed from inside. Shingles is still lurking but hopefully will keep heading further into memory, thank you for asking.
Hi Kim. Nice action shot. I like the effect of light shining through the wing feathers. It’s warming up here nicely and we’re seeing more songbirds in our garden too. They are welcome summertime residents.
Thank you, it’s all about the light isn’t it! It’s lovely to think of your weather warming up Harry, and your songbirds turning up.