Gotcha!

Gallery: AvianPosted September 30, 2011329 views9 comments

Capturing a goshawk chick for banding. He/she was clearly NOT happy, but the whole process - catching, bagging, lowering to the ground with ropes, meaasuring/weighing/banding, back into the bag, raised back up to nest, released - took less than 5 minutes.

More shots of the adults and chicks (and the previous year's juvies) coming soon.

I was fortunate to know one of the researchers and was invited to come along. I don't have the written consent of the "catcher" here (only a verbal one), so I felt I had to crop his face out. I hope this works as is.
A Very large crop

borrowed Canon
500mm
F8, 1/250
Exp +1
ISO500

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on September 30, 2011 at 7:32 AM

You have handled the whites well, Sandy, and there is just enough movement in the wings. It tells a story, I just hope the next shot is not the researcher getting bitten!

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 30, 2011 at 1:44 PM

Very interesting shot Sandy with good detail on the larger image. I like seeing the wings up so you can see the body and the open beak is a real plus. If this nest is up in a tree how did you get this wonderful angle? Well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 30, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Learned to climb trees with ropes (and safety vest attached to tree!) Not so easy with a camera backpack!
You can see one of the anchor ropes in this image.
There was a pretty clear view to the nest from several adjacent trees, unbelievably. Mom and dad were not happy, and "bombed" us a couple times, but all this was over quickly.
Quite an amazing day.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 30, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Terrific image and story to go with it Sandy. Beautiful clarity and sharpness. Well done. This works as is for me.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 30, 2011 at 7:52 PM

Great action Sandy. What fun that must have been. Very well done.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 30, 2011 at 8:27 PM

Sure envy your experience Sandy. You timed this shot perfectly.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 30, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Might be a large crop, but you still have excellent detail, Sandy. This works for me. Adding the researcher's face would have reduced the size of the bird in the frame more than I would have liked.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 30, 2011 at 10:21 PM

Thanks for posting this Sandy, don't often see an image of a raptor being banded. Love the straight arm and the hawks reaction.
Excellent shot!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffry Oonk on October 1, 2011 at 4:15 AM

Great shot. Both photographically and educational.
Thx for posting
Jef

Registered on February 5, 2011, 21 Posts, 122 Comments