Bottles, blue things, and birds

[quester]

Some recent shots.

 

[Gab]

Quester they are wonderful! The first in particular is sublime! Thanks to share!

 

[eagle6996]

The bird photos is a great shot.

Best Regards
Nik
:mrgreen:

 

[Athena]

Great set! I very much like the first and third pics, and that bird is awesome! How did you manage to get so close to it? What bird is it?

 

[quester]

How did you manage to get so close to it? What bird is it?

Thanks everyone - this is a common buzzard, one of the more common birds of prey that pass through here on their way back north in the spring. Beautiful, they perch on the date trees, sometimes pouncing quickly on some lizard or rodent passing through the plants below, or glide through the trees looking for prey. They are very wary of people - if you stop nearby, they usually fly away very quickly. Some, like this one, get weak or sick and don't complete the journey.

I found this one lying flat on its belly, not moving, and it seemed it was dead. When I touched it to inspect it - I wanted to see if it had a ring on its leg/talon, as there is ongoing research being done here to keep tabs on these birds to learn more about them - it suddenly turned over, spread its wings wide, and generally tried to look menacing. But this was a last show of strength. I took a few photos, and went to our work kitchen to find a bit of food for it. When I came back, I couldn't find it, but it was obvious from the look in its eyes and from the fact that it didn't try to fly away, that it was in bad shape. Most likely it would become a fox's meal in the night, if it would even last that long...

 

[Marana]

Oh, how sad, and nice that you caught some of it's last moments here on earth.

 

[autochrome]

That is a true photograf eye
Thanks for sharing here

 

[quester]

Thanks very much autochrome!

 

[Athena]

this is a common buzzard, one of the more common birds of prey that pass through here on their way back north in the spring.

Ah, I thought it would be something like that.

it suddenly turned over, spread its wings wide, and generally tried to look menacing.

I didn't mention it previously, but I thought it looked like it was on the defensive, as it looked like it was warning you to stay away.

They are very wary of people - if you stop nearby, they usually fly away very quickly. Some, like this one, get weak or sick and don't complete the journey.

I found this one lying flat on its belly, not moving, and it seemed it was dead. But this was a last show of strength. I took a few photos, and went to our work kitchen to find a bit of food for it. When I came back, I couldn't find it, but it was obvious from the look in its eyes and from the fact that it didn't try to fly away, that it was in bad shape. Most likely it would become a fox's meal in the night, if it would even last that long...

:cry: :cry: very sad. I know it's natural and all, but still, I find things like this sad anyway. Thanks for answering my questions...although, I kind 'a wished I hadn't asked now...

 

[EastCoastPhoto]

Gorgeous bird in beautiful flight pose....focus is right on too....well done.

Photography