Birds of Prey
Nature Photography - Birds of Prey - Raptors and Skilled Carnivores
Britanica [AI] defines a Bird of Prey as any bird that pursues other animals for food. All birds of prey have hook-tipped beaks and sharp curved claws called talons. Diurnal birds of prey—hawks, eagles, vultures, and falcons (Falconiformes)—are also called raptors, which comprise more than 500 species. The condors (species of vultures) and the eagles are the largest and strongest members of this group, and they are among the largest and strongest of all living birds. The nocturnal birds of prey are the owls (Strigiformes), a group made up of more than 200 species.
For me, I include some pictures of officially non-raptors who are skilled carnivores in this section.
The images displayed in thumbnails online are not high resolution but upon purchase these images will be sent to your as high resolution images.
In addition, only a partial view of the thumbnail images is displayed online. However the images you receive upon purchase are high resolution images.
#7341
I took this picture in 2024 on the Susquehanna River near Conowingo Dam in Maryland. I was all packed up and walking up the river when I heard something faint behind me. As I turned, the Osprey was closing fast. I quickly placed my tripod on the ground without opening it and started taking pictures. It was very exciting. NOTE: The tiptop of his wings were cut off when I took the photo - I used Photoshop to extend wings.
#3709
In an Osprey Nest, a mother Osprey and baby patiently await for "dad" to return with some lunch!
#6541
While driving out of Long Branch in Virginia, this Hawk was sitting a few feet away. I stopped my car in the middle of a small road. The Hawk never flinched as I took many pictures and came closer.
