wildlightphoto Posted May 5, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I spent last Saturday at the California Raptor Center's spring Open House, where several of the non-releasable birds were on display for an up-close-and-personal look at them. The California Raptor Center in Davis is a licensed rescue and rehabilitation facility operated by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: Raptor Center Keep in mind because of captive living conditions these should be considered portraits of individuals and not necessarily representative of the species. Sadie is an imprinted Northern Saw-whet Owl. Athena is a Barn Owl who was rescued and brought back to health after a collision with a barbed-wire fence broke her right wing. Spar is an imprinted male American Kestrel, full of spunk ("I'm tiny but I am a FALCON, beware!"). more in next post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 Hi wildlightphoto, Take a look here Raptor Portraits. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wildlightphoto Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted May 5, 2009 Annie is a female American Kestrel who is imprinted and may have damaged tail feather folicles. Right now, her tail is missing and she can't fly well. Personal grooming after a meal apparently isn't a high priority for her. Grasshopper is a Swainson's Hawk who has cataracts. He's a very gentle bird, easy to handle and most of the time puffs up his feathers and chills out. Thor is a Ferruginous Hawk who collided with a Union Pacific freight train somewhere in Nevada and was discovered stuck to the front of the train barely alive when the train reached California. technical notes: Leica R8 with DMR digital back, 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R, shoulder stock & monopod. Check Sadie's eyes to see how much light there was. All comments welcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted May 5, 2009 Share #3 Posted May 5, 2009 Doug- Can't say I prefer one over the other, they are all absolutely spectacular, as always. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted May 5, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 5, 2009 Doug Just amazing. I can honestly say I love looking at your work. Masterpieces. The note about about Thor literally made my jaw drop. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted May 5, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 5, 2009 All of them are fantastic.. Cheers Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted May 5, 2009 Share #6 Posted May 5, 2009 doug - I've been anxiously waiting for these (Sallie told me you'd be at the open house), and you've exceeded my very high expectations. I trust you've sent copies to Sallie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin T-M Posted May 5, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wonderful portraits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted May 5, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 5, 2009 Doug, Thank you for yet another stunning set of bird shots. Beautiful. Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StFreud Posted May 6, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, what a great pleasure. Regards, SF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wls.shanghai Posted May 6, 2009 Share #10 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, wonderful - great series. I like it Regards wls Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauledell Posted May 6, 2009 Share #11 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, Every one of your series of photographs are stunning. I cannot think of another source that is up to these. I like them all. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert Posted May 6, 2009 Share #12 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, My only criticism is that: You don't seem to be posting as often as I want you to. .............................but I really do like the photographs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted May 6, 2009 Share #13 Posted May 6, 2009 I like'em all, but Thor is my definite favorite. He still looks 'all business' despite his hardships. Thanks for posting these Doug. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_peter_m Posted May 6, 2009 Share #14 Posted May 6, 2009 Excellent portraits Doug. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted May 6, 2009 Share #15 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, you're the tops. You remind us of the real beauty all around us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted May 6, 2009 Share #16 Posted May 6, 2009 Doug, I join the previous notices Superb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted May 7, 2009 Thanks for all the comments! I've learned today that some of the biographical info was incorrect. The Northern Saw-whet Owl's name is Sophie and she is blind in one eye, not an imprint. Also Athena is an imprinted bird and her wing injury may have been from a metabolic bone disease, not from barbed wire. Still magnificent creatures IMHO. Thor is my favorite because of his survival story and his unbroken sprit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted May 8, 2009 Share #18 Posted May 8, 2009 Very special portraits. I have always felt a strong affinity for raptors. A few days ago I was walking in the woods with my dog and was looking for a female barred owl that lives there when I saw something that was unbelievable----she flew from her usual spot over to another tree and picked up a full grown raccoon. The coon was able to wiggle free and ran down the tree and off into the brush. Lucky day for the coon. I doubt I will ever see that again! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.